The Texas Longhorns’ running back group will undergo significant changes this season.
Following the revelation on August 7 that starting running back CJ Baxter had suffered an injury, alarm spread among fans. Baxter, who is dealing with torn lateral collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his knee, will miss what could have been a standout sophomore year. In 2023, Baxter made history as the first true freshman to start at running back since Ricky Williams in 1995, starting six of the 12 games he played. He accumulated 659 rushing yards on 138 carries, scored five touchdowns, and was also a reliable target for quarterback Quinn Ewers with 24 receptions for 156 yards.
Shortly after Baxter’s injury news, freshman running back Christian Clark was reported to have torn his Achilles on August 12, requiring surgery and ruling him out for the entire 2024 season. Clark, a three-star recruit from Mountain Pointe in Arizona, had an impressive high school career with 801 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 135 carries, plus 144 receiving yards on 12 catches.
With both Baxter and Clark sidelined, head coach Steve Sarkisian is exploring various options for the running back position.
“We’re considering different strategies, including possible contributions from offensive and defensive players,” Sarkisian said. “We’re taking it day by day and have time to figure it out.”
Despite the setbacks, there is strong confidence in Jaydon Blue, who has been spotlighted after being named to the Doak Walker Award and Paul Hornung Award watch lists. Blue is poised for a big season, having rushed for 398 yards and three touchdowns last year, and performed well in the College Football Playoffs, averaging over seven yards per carry in the last three games.
Sophomore Tre Wisner is another key player, expected to fill a significant role. Wisner, who has impressed with his hard work during the offseason, made notable strides in spring and summer workouts. Although he primarily played on special teams as a freshman, he contributed 73 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 carries last season.
Freshman Jerrick Gibson, who ranked highly in Florida during his recruitment, will round out the group. Gibson rushed for 740 yards and eight touchdowns last year, also adding 122 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Additionally, graduate transfer Velton Gardner, formerly of Kansas and SMU, has joined the team to provide veteran experience and depth. Gardner is the only running back in the group with over 1,000 career rushing yards.
If necessary, Sarkisian is also considering moving players like freshman wide receiver Ryan Niblett and senior tight end Juan Davis to running back. Currently, the plan is to rely on Blue, Wisner, and Gibson, with Gardner offering valuable depth.
Leave a Reply