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Texas RBs CJ Baxter, Tre Wisner Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List

by: Charlie Williams08/05/25
CJ Baxter
CJ Baxter (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Two Texas running backs — CJ Baxter and Tre Wisner have been named to the preseason Doak Walker Award watch list, an honor recognizing the nation’s top running back. For the Longhorns, it’s another sign of just how deep and talented their backfield is heading into the 2025 season.

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Baxter enters the year looking to bounce back from injury and return to the form that made him one of Texas’ most promising young stars. If healthy, he has the skill set to put together a standout season and push toward the NFL Draft conversation. Wisner, meanwhile, brings an underdog mentality and a chip on his shoulder, coming off a breakout campaign in which he topped 1,000 yards and proved he can be a difference-maker.

Baxter, a sophomore who missed the 2024 season due to a knee injury suffered in the preseason, has played in 12 games with six starts. He rushed 138 times for 659 yards and five touchdowns while logging 156 receiving yards. He had a 100-yard game versus Iowa State in the wake of Jonathon Brooks‘ injury. During the Longhorns’ College Football Playoff game against Washington, he rushed for a score.

Wisner, who earned third-team All-SEC honors in 2024 and preseason first-team All-SEC recognition, is the only returning rusher in the conference with at least 1000 yards. He played in 15 games with 12 starts and rushed for 1064 yards and five touchdowns. He also had 44 catches for 411 yards and a score.

What makes this recognition even more impressive is Texas’ depth at the position. The Longhorns have multiple options capable of producing at a high level, meaning carries will be spread around. Even if Baxter and Wisner aren’t the leading rushers by season’s end, their presence on the watch list highlights just how scary this Texas backfield can be.

Texas has won five Doak Walker Awards in its history. Ricky Williams won the honor in 1997 and 1998, Cedric Benson made Texas the first three-time winner in 2004, D’Onta Foreman earned the award in 2016, and Bijan Robinson was named the nation’s most outstanding college running back in 2022. Texas’ five Doak Walkers is tied with Wisconsin for the most all time.

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The PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will name ten semifinalists in November, and three finalists, as voted on by the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee, will also be announced in November. The committee will cast a second vote in December to determine the recipient. The National Selection Committee consists of past recipients, former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives. The recipient of the 2025 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12, 2024.

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