Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice is taking the same job with the Detroit Lions, Inside Texas reported Thursday.
Choice spent the past three seasons in Austin, where he produced four draft picks and counting. Bijan Robinson was the first running back off the board in 2023, and Jonathon Brooks was the first running back selected in 2024. Jaydon Blue will hope to become the fifth Texas running back drafted in a 3-year span later this spring.
A former Georgia Tech and NFL running back, Choice coached running backs at North Texas and his alma mater before joining the Texas staff in 2022.
Taking the Lions job reunites Choice with arguably his star pupil, Jahmyr Gibbs. A top-100 recruit in the class of 2020, Gibbs chose Georgia Tech over Florida, Alabama and others because of his relationship with Choice.
Gibbs later transferred to Alabama, propelling him to become the 12th overall pick by the Lions in 2023.
Choice interviewed with the Dallas Cowboys earlier this month, but reportedly turned the Cowboys down because they could not meet his asking price. Choice made $700,000 at Texas in 2024, and surely would have been in line for a raise had he remained with the Longhorns.
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