D’Onta and Armanti Foreman both sported burnt orange Texas gear as they sat next to each other in front of a throng of cameras Wednesday afternoon. 

It wasn’t the first time the two sat in front of a microphone together at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. But it will likely be the last. 

D’Onta Foreman decided Wednesday afternoon to declare for the NFL draft. The junior running back leaves behind his twin brother, who he’s suited up with on game days ever since junior high. 

“We’ve played together a whole lot,” D’Onta Foreman said. “I was very emotional after the [TCU] game. I cried on more than one occasion.” 

But cash calls, and Foreman said he’d like to play for “anybody that would give [him] some money.” He’ll get that opportunity, as many draft analysts project Foreman going off the board no later than the second round. 

Foreman put together a historic junior season on the 40 Acres. His 2,028 rushing yards placed him ahead of every other player in the nation. He said he’d like to be remembered as one of the best running backs in Texas history. 

“I’ll be a Longhorn for the rest of my life,” D’Onta Foreman said. “I feel like I worked for it … I gave it my all every time I stepped on the field.” 

Although Foreman’s Texas teams never accomplished much success during his time as a Longhorn, the Texas City native shined enough by himself to make the leap to the next level. Armanti Foreman said his brother’s success will carry over into the NFL. 

“I think he’ll still be an amazing running back in the NFL,” Foreman said. “We always see him play with a chip on his shoulder, so I don’t think that’s going to change.” 

Although D’Onta Foreman leaves big shoes to fill at the tailback position, Chris Warren III enters his junior season primed to carry the load. Warren rushed for 366 yards on 5.90 yards per carry before suffering a knee injury in week four, cutting his sophomore campaign short.

Warren’s injury left the door open for Foreman to have a breakout season. Foreman ran the ball nearly 30 times per game while
racking up almost 170 yards per contest. He said Texas’ running game won’t take much of a hit despite his departure. 

“They have a lot of great backs in that room,” Foreman said. “Honestly, those guys work so hard … Chris [Warren], y’all see what he can do on the field.” 

Foreman garnered consideration in the Heisman race with his stellar performances throughout the year. His decision to declare for the draft early contrasts that of Longhorn legend Ricky Williams, who chose to stay for his senior season in 1998. Williams won the Heisman that year. 

If not for Texas’ 5–7 record this season, Foreman had the statistics to win college football’s most coveted award. He joined Williams as the only other player in Texas history to rush for 2,000 yards. 

Although the Heisman is a long shot, Foreman still has one order of business left to officially leave his mark as one of the best runners in Texas history: He wants to win the Doak Walker Award, given to nation’s best running back. 

“I feel like I should win that, honestly,” Foreman said. “I was consistently productive for my team. I did everything I could to help us win.”