Outlook on the Injury-Plagued Texas Running Back Room

Texas Running Backs coach Tashard Choice has gone from having one of the deepest running back rooms in the nation under his tutelage to scrambling to bolster the depth chart in the span of a week.

Before sophomore starting tailback CJ Baxter suffered a torn LCL and PCL in his right knee at practice last week, the running back position wasn’t much of a concern for the Longhorns. Baxter had 659 yards rushing last season despite not being the primary ballcarrier for the first half of the season, and his returning partner in crime, speedster Jaydon Blue, who totaled 613 all-purpose yards last season, was also a major contributor after Jonathon Brooks' season-ending knee injury in November.

To make matters worse, the Longhorns lost former three-star recruit Christian Clark, who was in line to be rotational back, to a knee injury during Monday’s practice.

With Baxter and Clark out for the 2024 season, Texas looks to the rest of the running back room to compliment Blue, presumably now the feature back.

Incoming four-star recruit Jerrick Gibson, who has been compared to NFL veteran Sony Michel by 247sports, could provide the answer. The IMG Academy product can rival Blue’s straight-line speed and may be more useful between the tackles.

Here’s how 247 Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins evaluated Gibson in high school:

“ A youth football star that found success at various stops before settling into the RB1 role at the powerhouse that is IMG Academy. Explosive in almost everything he does and is fast enough to win his fair share of foot races out on the perimeter. Not one to go down at the first sign of contact and usually is able to get out of trouble with his quick feet and loose hips. A bit of a slasher that can stack cut after cut once he gets past the initial wave of defenders. Tends to thrive on outside zone and toss plays. Will make defenses pay when counters are called, too. Doesn’t get a ton of targets on Friday nights, but has proved to be a difficult cover on the camp circuit as he uses a nice burst to shake defenders of all different sizes. Has tested exceptionally well over the years and has a 4.5 laser-timed 40-yard dash on record to go along with a near 41-inch vertical jump. Will need to adjust to the everyday demands of big-time Power Five football and learn some of the finer points of the position (like how to pick up a late blitz), but should be viewed as an every-down back with big-play ability given his speed, vision and hands. Could eat in a variety of different offensive systems, but skillset might be best suited for a modern day pro-style attack that wants to feed its running backs. Sunday potential.”

Both Gibson and Blue may have been used as kick-return men, but Sarkisian will almost certainly decide against that because he can't afford to lose another tailback.

Related: Recruiting prediction entered for Texas to land five-star WR Jaime Ffrench

There’s also Tre Wisner, a sophomore out of Dallas-Fort Worth area powerhouse DeSoto, who carried the ball 12 times for 73 yards and scored a touchdown in last year’s campaign.

Beyond Blue, Gibson and Wisner, Texas has four walk-ons: three true freshmen and junior Colin Page, who has never carried the ball in a collegiate game. This has made Sarkisian and Choice consider other options, such as converting receiver Ryan Niblett or linebacker Derion Gullette to running back, with Gullette reportedly already getting snaps at practice.

While the trio of Blue, Gibson, and Wisner should be enough to shoulder the rushing load, the position is just one more injury away from a complete crisis.