The Dallas Cowboys are planning to interview Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice for the same position on Brian Schottenheimer's new staff, according to multiple reports on Saturday.
A former Georgia Tech running back himself, Choice began his 6-year NFL career as a fourth-round pick of the Cowboys in the 2008 draft. He played three-plus seasons in the silver and blue before moving on to the Washington Redskins, Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts.
Choice's coaching career started as an intern in Dallas in 2016 before he landed a GA position at North Texas for the 2017 season. He was promoted to the Mean Green's running backs coach the following season, then spent 2019-21 at his alma mater before joining Steve Sarkisian's Texas staff in 2022.
In three seasons at Texas, Choice has coached four NFL draft picks and counting.
A Longhorn was the first running back off the board in two consecutive drafts: Bijan Robinson went eighth overall to the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, and Jonathon Brooks went 46th to the Carolina Panthers in 2024, despite suffering a season-ending ACL tear in November.
Roschon Johnson, a converted quarterback, was taken in the fourth round by the Chicago Bears in 2023, and Keilan Robinson went in the fifth round to Jacksonville last spring. Jaydon Blue will hope to become the sixth Longhorn running back drafted in a 3-year span later this year.
This season, former 3-star recruit Tre Wisner rushed for 1,064 yards after former 5-star recruit CJ Baxter was lost for the season to an ACL tear in August.
Choice earned $550,000 at Texas this past season.
The Cowboys are expected to add a running back either in the draft or free agency after the signing of 29-year-old Ezekiel Elliott failed in a surprise to no one but the general manager. Rico Dowdle is a free agent after a career-high 1,079-yard season, meaning the club could be in line to use its 12th pick on Heisman Trophy runner-up and Metroplex product Ashton Jeanty.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.