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With injuries looming, now is the time for Jerrick Gibson to strike

by: Evan Vieth09/26/25
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Jerrick Gibson (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Inside Texas just released an important report on the health of the Texas Longhorns heading out of the bye week. Mostly positive news came about this report, but one clear piece of news stung the Longhorn faithful.

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CJ Baxter’s status is uncertain for the Florida game, Texas’ first SEC matchup, and the first away game since the Longhorns lost to Ohio State in Week 1. One of Texas’ two starting backs, Baxter’s injury will be the first major roadblock to this team’s season on the health front.

Thankfully for the Longhorns, Texas had used the prior three weeks to learn more about its running backs. Quintrevion Wisner, who is expected to play next Saturday, missed all three games, and Baxter only really played in 1.01 games thanks to the injury.

During that time, Texas gave nearly equal run to its three younger backs: Jerrick Gibson, Christian Clark, and James Simon. Entering the year, it seemed like Clark was the clear third RB in this depth chart, but as we saw more and more carries, a new face emerged from that group.

Though it is still up for debate, Gibson seemed to be the best runner of the three. Gibson ended up leading the unit in yards and PFF grade, despite playing the majority of the “hardest snaps” in those games. At least as hard as snaps can be against UTEP and Sam Houston.

Gibson’s involvement against Sam Houston was the most striking piece of data, and the main reason he feels like the one who will step up in relief of Baxter.

Gibson was the true starter of that game. The first play of the game ended with a target to him. The second was a handoff. Gibson received a touch in six of Texas’ first 20 plays, including the first score of the game off a 13-yard burst through the middle of the field.

By the time Texas went up 21-0, Gibson had six rushes to Clark’s two. From that point on, it was mostly the Simon show. Gibson was taken out as if he were a starter, akin to the way Sarkisian had treated Baxter against San Jose State.

And these runs were good, as well. He averaged 7.333 yards per carry, with four of six carries going for nine or more yards. His only failed rushes came when he was hit in the backfield.

The fact that the staff was happy to give Clark the most snaps in the game, and Simon the most in the second half, is actually a good thing for Gibson. It shows that they didn’t need more from him.

Gibson would end up registering half a yard more than both Clark and Simon in one of the most important RB stats: yards after contact per attempt. How much are you adding to your runs? To double down on that, PFF’s ‘elusive rating’ measures blocking independent rushes, and had Gibson as easily the best runner of the trio.

While the news of Baxter’s injury cannot be seen as a good thing for the Longhorns, it could be one of the most important pieces of news in Gibson’s career.

The optics around him weren’t fantastic entering the year. A player who had already burned a year of eligibility was fourth on the depth chart, behind a runner in his same class that was a lower-rated recruit and had spent last season on the sidelines.

Had Gibson been just another guy for Texas, he would’ve had a limited year, been lapped by the rest of the RB room, and approached his true junior season as potentially a fourth-choice back. But even with a fumble late against San Jose State, it seems like he’s regained the trust of the staff, and his performance on the field has been fantastic.

Gibson needed to find a spot on this roster, and he should be Texas’ RB3 going forward. If Baxter really is unavailable against the Gators, this will be Gibson’s best shot in his young career to impress on a big stage. We’re excited for it.

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