TEXAS CITY, Texas – There is a question hanging over D’Onta Foreman’s record-setting season that will continue to come up even amid a coaching torrid: “Are you leaving for the NFL?”

It’s the type of inquiry a junior gets during a season which he leads the NCAA in rushing yards and might head to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist. Thus far Foreman is rather evasive answering. But one notable aspect of his future is clear: If Charlie Strong returns, there’s a much better chance Foreman does.

“Charlie being there would really, really give him even more motivation to come back,” D’Onta’s father, Derrick Foreman, told 247Sports. “I’m not saying he wouldn’t if he wasn’t there. But I know what he thinks about Charlie and this team. If you look at Shane (Buechele) being a year older, the offensive line being a year older, the defense being a year older. If you look at the talent, it’s like man.

“If D’Onta comes back, then watch out.”

D’Onta loves Strong. He’s running for him this season, after all. But Strong’s future, amid reports of his soon-to-be firing, is in much doubt. If Strong leaves, it’s a big blow to Foreman’s chances of returning.

“They swear by Charlie,” Derrick said. “They love him. Not only Charlie the coach, but Charlie the man.”

Running backs have a perceived short shelf life in the NFL. Foreman has already toted the ball an NCAA-high 292 times this season in just 10 games, and he set Texas’ single-game record for carries with 51 against Kansas last week.

Texas quarterback Shane Buechele said Foreman told him Saturday that “he’s never felt healthier” coming out of a game. But loads like those take a toll.

CBS Sports ranks Foreman as the fifth-best running back in the 2017 class and projects him as a second-round pick. Tennessee selected Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry in the 45th overall last season, and he received a four-year, $5.4 million contract. In an industry where the average career is just 3.3 years, that’s not easy money to pass up.

Outside of Strong and dollars, there is also one other significant factor in Foreman’s NFL decision – Armanti. His brother, Texas’ leading wide receiver, will be back in Austin next year either way. The twins, who have played on the same team since little league, are bound together as tightly as any pair could be.

The few months of their lives they were actually separated, D’Onta felt lost.

But as for the NFL Draft, Armanti has given D’Onta his blessing to do what he feels is best.

“My brother did tell me, out of his own mouth, ‘Whatever I decide to do he is OK with it, and he wants the best for me,’” D’Onta said. “He just wants to see me succeed.”

The family has already started to discuss the decision, but Derrick said the entire family will meet following the TCU game to discuss D’Onta’s NFL future. You can be sure Strong’s status will be a large part of that discussion.