Once upon a time, Texas running back D’Onta Foreman was considered to be the calf to his twin brother Armanti’s cow during the recruiting process when both were getting recruited out of Texas City. For those not exactly sure what I’m talking about, the term Cow/Calf is term used in recruiting when one player is considered to be the prize recruit (Armanti) while the other is considered to be less talented and a throw in (D’Onta). In these cases you can’t get the cow without the calf, so you are assumed to be throwing away a scholarship to a guy who may never crack the top of the depth chart.
Most seemed to have D’Onta pegged to play linebacker or fullback once he and Armanti signed with Texas, but instead he started out on the offensive side of the ball at running back, and needless to say he hasn’t looked back. In 2015, Foreman only logged 95 carries, but he tallied 681 yards (7.2 yards per carry) and 5 touchdowns and so far this year he has picked up right where he left last year where he forced to miss some games due to injury. So far in 2016, Foreman has proven to not only be bell cow running back for the Texas offensive backfield, he has proven to arguably be the best running back in the Big 12, as he has already put up 595 yards on 87 carries (6.8 yards per carry) and 7 touchdowns. His yardage output makes him the outright leader in that category after this weekend and he is currently tied for the conference lead in touchdowns.
At 6’0, 241 pounds, Foreman has shown he can run with power, displays good vision, has decent speed for his size and has the ability to score from 50+ yards out, he has sweet feet, and on top of all of that he is tough as hell and fights for every yard. Throw all of that in with his willingness to stick is nose in on pass protection and you have yourself one heck of a running back and one who looks to have him a career playing in the NFL. The only drawback on Foreman is that he has been banged up on a few occasions during his time in Austin, but numbers show that he is just getting warmed up.
Over the past six games dating back to last season, Foreman has rushed over 100 yards each game and has totaled just under 800 yards and 10 touchdowns. As impressive as those numbers are, they are even more impressive when you take into account that he sat out against UTEP this year, in which the offense rolled up over 400 yards and 41 points against the Miners.
Despite missing that game, Foreman is in decent position to crack 1000 yards and potentially take home the Big 12 rushing crown, which is something that hasn’t been done in Austin for some time now.
Foreman’s story is an interesting one and it still has several chapters left to be written at this point in his career. If Foreman is ability to stay healthy and continue to put up the numbers he is right now, then there is a pretty realistic chance that Foreman tests the NFL waters. Even though the NFL seems to be valuing running backs less and less every year, it may behoove Foreman to declare and strike while the iron is hot and his stock is high. As mentioned before, Foreman has been banged up some during his time at Texas so that is something for him to be mindful of as he tries to make to the next level, but one thing working in is his favor is that he doesn’t have a ton of carries on his resume. With plenty of tread left on the tires, that could be looked favorably upon by prospective NFL teams.
Foreman has been an absolute joy to watch this season and I hope he is able to stay on the field so we all can continue to watch him compete each Saturday. Enjoy Foreman while you can, Texas fans, because he likely won’t be around too much longer.
