Potential 'through the roof' for new Texas RB commit Cedric Baxter

On3 imageby:Chad Simmons08/10/22

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As a junior last season, Cedric Baxter averaged an eye-opening eight yards per carry. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound running back out of Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater rushed for 1,651 yards and scored 22 touchdowns in just 11 games.

He emerged as the No. 1 running back in the country in the On300 ranking and has held onto that spot for some time. Baxter has size, he has power, he has speed, and he has hands. There is almost nothing he doesn’t do at a high level. And he’ll bring that to Austin next year, where he will team up with Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Arch Manning and the rest of Texas’ talented recruiting class.

“What some don’t know about Cedric is, he just turned 17 years old,” Edgewater head coach Cameron Duke told On3. “It is scary, but he will go into college as a 17 year old with still so much room to grow and mature. Cedric is going to bigger, faster, and stronger. At this age, he is a special player, but to think about how much room he still has to mature is scary. He is special now with still room to improve and get better.”

Leadership adds to Cedric Baxter’s coveted on-field talent

Baxter is on the younger side when talking about a senior in high school, but you wouldn’t know it though by his actions. Not only is he special on the field, but he is just as special off of it.

“Cedric is a selfless leader,” added Duke. “In today’s game, it is rare to see a player of his ability be as selfless as he is. He puts his teammates first, he thinks about the team first, and he is all about helping others be better. As good as Cedric is on the field, he is an even better teammate and young man.”

The administration agrees with Duke on the type of young man Baxter is. The No. 28 prospect in the country carries a 3.7 GPA in the classroom. He is well-liked and respected by the teachers at Edgewater. His lead-by-example attitude shows in the hallways, in team meetings, and Baxter balances being both a student and an elite athlete.

Versatility makes his one of the country’s best backs

The praise is high about who he is off the field, but when it gets down to business, Texas is getting a special talent.

“Cedric is a complete running back,” Duke added. “His humbleness and humility make him different, but when talking football and running backs, there aren’t many like him. He can run inside with power, he has the speed to run outside, and he has great hands out of the backfield. Cedric Baxter is the definition of a complete running back. He can run, he can catch, he can block, he works hard, and he has everything coaches look for.”

In Baxter’s first start on the varsity about midway through his freshman year, he rushed for 170 yards and three touchdowns. Duke had a feeling before that game that Baxter was going to be different.

Over the last two years, he has become even better than what Duke expected him to. But he is just scratching the surface. Steve Sarkisian, Tashard Choice worked tirelessly to add him to their class, securing their second top-ranked position player this cycle. He joins a loaded group headed to Austin and brings along the potential to be a major weapon early on in the Longhorns’ offense.

“Cedric’s potential is through the roof,” Duke said. You see everything he is doing now at 17 years old in high school. He will get to college at a young age and add muscle, get stronger, and just grow as he matures. … Thinking about how good he is going to be on the next level is scary. With his mindset, his attitude, and his natural ability, Cedric is one that can go a long, long way.”