Steve Sarkisian remains confident in RB room following shakeups

Despite the loss of second-year running back Jerrick Gibson, as reported by Inside Texas earlier this week, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian remains confident in the ability of his running back room.

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On Thursday’s Zoom presser, Sarkisian got the chance to talk about the remaining running backs in his room, as well as a new face emerging.

“I think he’s gotten better and stronger,” Sarkisian first said about junior RB Quintrevion Wisner. “I think what he found out last week is that he’s healthy, he’s good, he’s strong, he’s mentally strong in going and doing those things. And again, we know Tre very well. We know what he’s capable of, and we know the mental and physical toughness that he possesses.”

Wisner has played just two games fully healthy this season: an 80-yard performance against Ohio State on the ground in Columbus, and nearly 130 yards between ground and air for the Dallas native in the Red River Rivalry win.

Sarkisian emphasized that Wisner serves as a great example for the younger running backs of the group, especially with his style of running.

“The physicality and the speed through the hole, not into a hole. And I think it was very helpful, I thought, for Christian (Clark) and James (Simon); they actually practiced their best week of practice this week,” Sarkisian said. “Because I think they actually saw the healthy version of Tre Wisner and what it looks like to run in a game and then come back and practice and go do it again this weekend.”

Wisner provided a good launching point for the other healthy RBs on the team, Christian Clark and James Simon. It can sometimes be hard to remember that the two combined for zero collegiate carries entering the year, thanks to Clark’s season-ending injury before the 2024 season started.

Now, these young backs have a visual idea of what a successful run game looks like—the tackles a back must break and when it’s most important to embrace contact to gain yardage.

Those two backs are expected to get a lot of run on Saturday and in the ensuing weeks leading up to the bye. CJ Baxter is still doubtful to play this weekend, and Wisner’s strength and physicality must be conserved throughout the season.

With the loss of Gibson and Baxter still sidelined, Texas also added a new wrinkle to the group: five-star true freshman Michael Terry.

“We knew when we recruited Michael that he was a really versatile guy,” Sarkisian said. “He was a Wildcat quarterback, he was a running back, he was a receiver, he played even some tight end.”

Terry came to campus as more of a weapon than anything. He didn’t have a designation. That can be a tough spot to be in as a highly recruited skill player where all the other positions are filled with four- and five-star talent. Terry originally started at receiver, but Sarkisian says he will now fully operate as a running back.

“He’s now in the running back room, and he’s been very impressive,” Sarkisian said. “He’s been playing some scout team running back for us now for about the last three weeks or so, so he’s been doing it, but now he’s in the room. You know, we’ll see if he’s ready for Saturday or not, or over time.”

Sarkisian compared him to a now-popular name in Austin: Ryan Niblett, a versatile high-level recruit who has struggled to find a home in one position. But this year, Niblett has contributed greatly to the Longhorns, specifically on special teams.

“I’ve been thoroughly impressed with Michael. He is an unbelievable athlete, very smart, and I think he’s a guy that’s going to help us as we roll in the program.”