Steve Sarkisian evaluates Texas RB room, reveals plan for CJ Baxter's return to play

The 2025 Texas football season has to be the most anticipated in recent history. The Longhorns are returning strong play on the offensive and defensive line, along with playmakers at defensive back, wide receiver and running back.

The Longhorns will run out four serviceable running backs this season, opening up the playbook for different looks for different guys. Head coach Steve Sarkisian joined ESPN’s Greg McElroy on the “Always College Football” podcast to discuss the abundance of riches in the Texas backfield.

“It’s hard to argue with what Tre Wisner did last year,” Sarkisian said when asked about the pecking order at running back. “I really felt like the second half of the season, that guy put the team on his shoulders in a couple games where we had to run the ball. He wasn’t developed into the running back stature that we wanted yet, and he’s had a offseason. I give Tre a ton of credit; he went into spring bigger, faster and more decisive in his running style. That’s been a huge asset for us.”

As a sophomore, Wisner led the Longhorns in rushing with 1,064 yards and five touchdowns. He found the end zone twice in Texas‘ 38-24 win over Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.

Sarkisian boasts about Texas’ depth

“I think there are a couple other of young players that people have almost forgot a little about,” Sarkisian continued. “Jerrick Gibson has had a great spring and a great summer. He’s a guy that had some big plays for us in some critical games. Michigan, he came on when [Jaydon] Blue got hurt and played really good football for us. Christian Clark is also back. He was the other guy that got hurt in training camp when Cedric Baxter got hurt. He had hurt his Achilles. He’s had a great spring and a great summer. Those guys I’m super pumped about.”

As the third-string back behind Wisner and now Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue, Gibson rushed for 377 yards and four touchdowns. His role expanded due to the season-ending injury that Cedric Baxter suffered in training camp.

“Cedric Baxter, he’s a wild card,” said Sarkisian. “He was starting for us as a true freshman and was poised for a big season last year, but hurt the knee. So we have been methodical in our approach with him and he’s done everything we’ve asked of him and his recovery. My thing with that is I don’t want to put him out there before he’s really ready to play. And he’s giving me no reason not to think that he’s not gonna be ready, but I guess I’m being a little more cautious than most because I can be.”

The Longhorns and their strong running back room open the 2025 season at Ohio State on August 30. The game is slated for a noon ET kick.