Tashard Choice expects a lot out of CJ Baxter, and Baxter is primed to deliver in the College Football Playoff

Texas freshman CJ Baxter Jr. was the No. 1 running back in the country in the 2023 class. His five-star billing was the result of his many physical talents that Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater used often.

[Join Inside Texas and get ONE MONTH of Longhorn intel for just $1!]

It was simple for Baxter at Edgewater. The main running play was often ‘hand the ball to CJ.’ Rarely was there a zone call.

There’s a lot more to Steve Sarkisian‘s run schemes. It isn’t as simple as following blockers. Sarkisian and running backs coach Tashard Choice ask their runners to find holes in gap schemes, zone schemes, and even make plays in the passing game.

“I knew that was going to be a process because Ced didn’t do inside zone,” Choice said Saturday. “The biggest thing was, I asked Ced Baxter what’s an under front? What’s an over front? If he didn’t know, I’d teach it to him. Then I’d come back and ask him again, and he can tell me because he can retain information.”

It wasn’t always easy for Baxter, who had competition in the form of the returning Jonathon Brooks in the room. “Rome wasn’t built in one day,” Choice said.

But enrolling early was a boost, and after a quality freshman season he started and will now finish as the No. 1 back, Baxter is a different player than he was in the first game of the season against Rice.

“I came early, so that was the best thing I’ve done,” Baxter said Saturday. “Coming in early, learning the system, and how to run behind certain offenses and certain schemes. It just took a whole bunch of practice. A whole bunch. I’m still learning.”

While learning, Baxter rushed 129 times for 595 yards and four touchdowns. But there were times throughout the season where injuries kept him from being able to make those improvements in practice.

Baxter is a gamer and still wanted to suit up and play despite his various ailments. Choice explained that hampered some of his development. Baxter would be going half-speed or 75-percent speed in practice but be tasked with going all out in the games.

“I would definitely say it’s a learning experience,” Baxter said. “I’m still learning on the fly, of course. I would say the biggest adjustment for me was — I wouldn’t necessarily say the speed of the game, but probably the intensity of it. How fast games do move, and stuff like that.”

There was also a mentality that Baxter needed to have coaxed out of him. Choice was very honest in his assessment of Baxter and even Bijan Robinson, two of his extremely talented pupils. Both have all the talent in the world, but both are such genuinely good people. The type of controlled anger that can benefit a running back wasn’t ‘t always easy to bring out of that duo.

“They’re such kids, and I don’t like it sometimes,” Choice said while laughing. “I want ‘em mean. But that’s who they are. (Baxter)’s a good, loving kid, man.”

However, that meanness has started to manifest as the season has hit the final stretch. Baxter has rushed 42 times for 205 yards and a score in the three games since Brooks’ knee injury. He rushed 20 times for 117 yards versus Iowa State in a physical, hard fought contest.

In addition, Baxter is getting healthier ahead of the semifinals.

“Now him having his three weeks, a chance for his body to get back underneath itself, get his wind, and get away for a little bit but still staying conditioned? I’m excited for him,” Choice said.

Choice has liked what he’s seen and he has a high standard, too. Baxter explained how Choice expects a lot out of his running backs, whether first-stringer or walk-on.

“He’s a perfectionist,” Baxter said. “He wants the best out of all of us. We know that all of us have something different to offer. He’s just trying to get the best out of all of us.”

And in recent practices in preparation for the Longhorns’ College Football Playoff matchup with the Washington Huskies, Choice has seen a lot of “the best” from Baxter as his first season in Austin approaches its end.

[Subscribe to the brand new Inside Texas YouTube channel!]

“If you could see how he practiced during the year and how he’s practicing right now, it’s totally different,” Choice said. “He got confident, and he’s owning it.”