It’s been expected for some time, but today Texas junior running back D’Onta Foreman announced that he would be forgoing his senior season at Texas and will declare for the NFL Draft. In 2016, Foreman had a huge break out year, as he led the entire country in rushing yards with 2,028 and also tallied 15 rushing touchdowns. Foreman was the only player in the country this year to clear 2,000 yards rushing and he did it in just 11 games since he sat out an early non-conference game against UTEP.
Foreman’s 2016 season will go down in the Texas history books as the second most prolific rushing season ever seen on the 40 Acres, as Foreman came up just short of breaking Ricky Williams’ single season rushing record that was set back in 1998 when he took home the Heisman trophy. In the process of rushing for 2,000 yards, Foreman also rushed for over 100 yards in each game he played in this season and broke Earl Campbell’s school record for consecutive games with at least 100 yards. Foreman has been named a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, which is given to the nation’s top running back each year, and he also has an outside shot of being invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony.
After becoming the workhorse back in Austin and tallying 323 carries in 2016, this was a relatively easy decision for Foreman, though I know the idea of leaving his twin brother Armanti behind is far from ideal. With the way the NFL values running backs right now it is best for him to get there now and starting working his way to a second contract. Foreman has been banged up here and there during his time at Texas, so risking an injury by coming back and trying to chase more accolades would not have been wise on his part in my opinion. After blowing away expectations this year his stock was never going to be higher and as he said it is best to strike while the iron is hot. While guys like Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, and Christian McCaffrey are certain to be household name for scouts, there is no doubt that Foreman has put himself right in the mix with the rest of the top backs after this season.
D’Onta story is great one and is one that should be told to all aspiring high school football players looking to play collegiate ball. He was once a two star recruit thought to be a throw in with Armanti, who was the higher rated and more sought after twin of the pair, and instead of being just a guy, he ended be THE guy and is on his way to an NFL contract. Lesson of the story is that you shouldn’t get too caught up in the stars and what the recruiting networks say about you. Show up every day, work hard, and when your opportunity arrives make sure you make the most of it like D’Onta did, and you could be at that microphone one day announcing that you are declaring for the NFL Draft. Foreman was an absolute pleasure to watch during his time at Texas, and I will be rooting for him no matter where he ends up on Sundays.
Brought to you by:
