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Football, Faith and The Flash: CJ Baxter is counting down the days to his return to College Football

by: Evan Vieth08/25/25
cj baxter
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Texas RB CJ Baxter has gotten used to waiting.

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That’s what tends to happen when you suffer a season-ending injury before your second year in college, one where you were expected to blossom from a good back into an elite one.

It’s been some time since then. Baxter has had his surgery, gone through his recovery, and is now ready to play. He’s expected to be fully healthy for Saturday’s matchup against No. 3 Ohio State, the reigning national champions.

“I wouldn’t say there’s any weight on my shoulders because I don’t have to do everything by myself,” Baxter said. “I’m definitely excited to be back on the field. No questions asked. But I’m definitely taking it one day at a time.”

One day at a time is exactly how the whole team must operate, but they are only five days away. The Longhorns will be traveling to Columbus for a rematch, and possible revenge, against the Buckeyes. But for Baxter, who didn’t have a chance to play in that game, it’s far less about revenge than it is about themselves.

“Personally, for us as a whole as a team, the leaders and the young guys, it’s not about revenge,” Baxter said. “It’s about us. It’s a big game. That’s why you come to Texas. You play in those games.”

Baxter’s road to this point has been filled with ups and downs. There were likely times he never dreamed of being this ready to go just five days away from the Ohio State game. For Baxter, his faith played a big role in his recovery back to the field.

“My faith was a big part of it. John 13:7 says, ‘You may not understand what I’m doing now, but later you will,'” Baxter said. “I had that written on my mirror at my house in my bathroom.”

This verse helped Baxter move past the existential questions and focus on his own work. His faith aided him in putting the work into his health, making sure he doesn’t have any setbacks going forward.

His interview carried on just like any other regular ‘ol press conference, calling himself a science project for the training staff and talking superheroes with Joe Cook. That was a fun one.

“If I could be a superhero, I’d be the Flash,” Baxter said. “He can run through walls, run back in time, all of that.”

That may be Baxter’s preference, but we see him more as a Mr. Freeze type. Need someone to ice a game for you? Baxter’s your guy. It also helps he’s dropped the dreads for the buzz cut.

He noted that he came out of this injury as a different player. His goal wasn’t to return to where he was; it was to grow into a new version of himself. That may mean an improved focus on blocking, or the ability to make people miss in the open field, but his ability to close out games and be a shoulder to lean on for his offense will be invaluable in 2025. Maybe even on Saturday.

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For now, Baxter has five days to look back on his faith, channel his inner Barry Allen, and become the best back he can be for his team.

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