Texas has always been a factory for elite ball carriers. If you walk through the facilities in Austin, the ghosts of Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams are basically everywhere. It’s a heavy legacy to carry. Last year, everyone was talking about Jonathon Brooks, and for good reason—the guy was a surgeon on the field before that ACL tear. But as we look at the current state of the Texas Longhorns running back room, things have shifted from a one-man show to a terrifyingly deep stable of athletes that Steve Sarkisian can rotate like a line change in hockey.
Honestly, it’s a bit ridiculous. Most programs struggle to find one reliable starter. Texas currently has three or four guys who could probably start for 90% of the FBS.
The CJ Baxter Factor and the Reality of Injury
The narrative for the 2024-2025 cycle changed the moment Cedric Baxter Jr. went down in fall camp. It was a gut punch. You’ve got this former five-star recruit, a guy who looks like he was built in a lab to run between the tackles, and suddenly he's out for the year with a torn ACL and LCL. It’s brutal.
But here is where the Texas Longhorns running back depth actually saved the season from becoming a "what if" story. Jaydon Blue didn't just step up; he transformed the offense. While Baxter is the power, Blue is the lightning. He’s got that sub-10.5 track speed that makes safeties look like they’re running in sand. When you watch Blue hit the edge, it’s not just about speed. It’s about the way he sets up his blocks. He’s patient. Then—bang—he’s gone.
Sarkisian’s offense relies on the "choice" route and the ability of a back to catch the ball out of the backfield. Blue is basically a wide receiver in a 200-pound frame. That versatility is why the Longhorns didn't miss a beat even when their projected RB1 went to the sidelines.
Why Quintrevion Wisner is the Secret Weapon
If you ask a casual fan about the Texas Longhorns running back situation, they’ll mention Blue. They might mention the incoming freshmen. But the real ones know that Quintrevion "Tre" Wisner is the glue.
He was a special teams demon first. That tells you everything about his mindset. You don't play special teams at that level unless you're willing to hit somebody. When he got his chance to actually carry the rock, he ran like he was trying to break the earth. He’s got this low center of gravity that makes him a nightmare to tackle in the red zone. Against Oklahoma and later in the SEC grind, Wisner proved that he isn't just a backup. He’s a guy you can give the ball to 15 times a game to wear a defense down.
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It’s about the "thunder and lightning" dynamic, but updated for the modern era. Wisner is the hammer. Blue is the scalpel.
The Freshman Surge: Jerrick Gibson and Christian Clark
It’s almost unfair that Texas landed Jerrick Gibson. Coming out of IMG Academy, the kid was ranked as the top back in the country by multiple services. He doesn't look like a freshman. He has the quad size of a five-year NFL veteran.
- Gibson’s Style: Downhill. Violent. Efficient.
- The Learning Curve: Pass protection is usually where freshmen fail, but Gibson has shown a weirdly mature ability to pick up blitzes.
- Christian Clark: Another high-ceiling guy who, despite his own injury setbacks, represents the absurd recruiting momentum Tashard Choice has built.
Tashard Choice is the name you have to know here. As the running backs coach, he’s basically become the best recruiter in the country at his position. Players don't just come to Austin for the NIL or the burnt orange jerseys; they come because Choice played the game at the highest level and coaches with a manic energy that is infectious. You see it in the way the backs celebrate for each other. There’s no ego in that room, which is rare when you have that much talent concentrated in one spot.
Navigating the SEC Gauntlet
Moving to the SEC changed the requirements for a Texas Longhorns running back. In the Big 12, you could sometimes outrun people and win 45-38. In the SEC, you’re hitting Georgia’s defensive line. You’re dealing with Alabama’s linebackers. It’s a physical toll that requires a rotation.
Sarkisian’s "All Gas No Brakes" mantra isn't just a bumper sticker. It’s a philosophy that requires fresh legs in the fourth quarter. If Jaydon Blue has been sprinting for three quarters, and then a fresh Tre Wisner comes in to hammer a tired defensive line, the game is over. That’s the blueprint.
The complexity of the Texas run game is also underrated. They run a lot of duo and zone, but they also use the backs in creative "pony" sets where two RBs are on the field at once. This creates a numbers nightmare for defensive coordinators. Do you stay in base defense to stop the run and get burned by Blue on a wheel route? Or do you go nickel and let Wisner maul your smaller defensive backs?
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Historical Context: From Bijan to Now
We have to talk about Bijan Robinson for a second. He was the "perfect" back. He had the vision, the contact balance, and the hands. When he left, people wondered if the Texas Longhorns running back room would take a massive step back. It didn't.
Instead of one "superstar" who carries the ball 25 times, Texas has evolved into a multi-headed monster. This is actually better for the players' NFL longevity. It’s the "Georgia Model"—recruit four guys who are all NFL-caliber, split the carries, and keep everyone healthy and explosive.
What the Critics Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Texas is a "finesse" team because they have a high-flying passing attack with Quinn Ewers (and eventually Arch Manning). People think they just want to throw it 50 times.
That’s dead wrong.
Sarkisian is a Moorepark guy. He’s a West Coast offense disciple who believes the run sets up the shot play. If the Texas Longhorns running back isn't gaining 4 or 5 yards on first down, the whole system stalls. The stats back this up: in every major Texas win over the last two seasons, they’ve managed to establish a physical presence on the ground early. It’s not about the "home run" play every time. It’s about the 6-yard gain that sucks the soul out of a linebacker.
Looking Ahead: The 2025 Outlook
With Baxter expected to return and the younger guys having a full year of SEC experience under their belts, the 2025 season looks even more promising. But for the immediate future, the focus remains on the current rotation.
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If you're watching a Texas game, watch the rotation. Watch how Tashard Choice cycles these guys in based on the series.
- The Opening Script: Usually features Jaydon Blue to test the perimeter and see how the defense reacts to his speed.
- The "Grind" Phase: This is where Wisner and Gibson start taking the interior carries, punishing the interior defensive line.
- The Closing Act: Depending on the score, it’s either more Blue to kill the game with a big run or the freshmen getting valuable "trash time" reps that aren't actually trash—they're auditions.
The injury to Christian Clark was another blow to the depth, but the emergence of walk-ons and the versatility of the roster have kept the unit afloat. It’s a testament to the culture. You don't see guys entering the portal the moment they aren't RB1. They stay because they know they’re going to get touches, and they know those touches are high-value.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
To truly understand how this unit operates, don't just look at the rushing yards at the end of the game. Look at the Yards After Contact (YAC). This is the metric that SEC scouts obsess over.
- Evaluate the "Burst": Watch Jaydon Blue’s first three steps. If he’s through the hole before the linebacker can scrape over, Texas wins.
- Monitor the Pass Pro: A Texas Longhorns running back who can’t block won't play. Period. Watch how they pick up the "A-gap" blitz.
- The "Heavy" Package: Look for sets where Texas puts an extra tackle or a big tight end in, signaling a Wisner/Gibson power run.
The reality is that Texas has built a sustainable model. They aren't relying on one generational talent anymore. They've built a system where the talent is interchangeable, the scheme is elite, and the coaching is the best in the country. Whether it’s a high-scoring shootout or a muddy defensive battle in the swamp, the running game is the heartbeat of this team. It’s why they’re finally back in the national title conversation.
The "RBU" title is a self-proclaimed one at many schools, but in Austin, the current crop of backs is doing everything possible to make it an indisputable fact. Keep an eye on the injury reports, sure, but don't bet against this room. They’re too deep, too fast, and frankly, too well-coached to stay down for long.
If you're looking to track the progress of these players, keep a close eye on the weekly "Players of the Week" honors from the SEC. Jaydon Blue and Tre Wisner are frequently in that conversation. Also, pay attention to the snap counts. In the modern game, the "starter" is often just the guy who takes the first snap, but the guy who plays the most snaps in the fourth quarter is the one the coaches truly trust. Right now, that trust is spread across a very talented group of young men.