CJ Baxter replacement: Who will fill Texas RB's spot in 2024 season?

CJ Baxter, the Texas Longhorns running back, injured his right knee's lateral and posterior collateral ligaments (LCL and PCL) on Tuesday, and he will likely be out for the whole season. This will leave a hole in the Longhorns' run game, as Baxter was going to be the main running back for Quinn Ewers.

Baxter had a limited 2023 season due to an early season injury but was able to return for the final few games. In those, he rushed for 659 yards and scored five touchdowns. 2024 was going to be a breakout season for Baxter, but the injury means that this will not happen, and Baxter will need to be replaced.

Who will replace CJ Baxter as the Texas Longhorns' running back?

With Baxter sidelined for the season, it is likely that his place will be filled by Jaydon Blue. Blue filled in with Baxter when star running back Jonathon Brooks (who is now in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers) was out injured last season.

During 2023, Blue rushed for 398 yards and three touchdowns, and made his case to be the second running back on the Texas roster. But with Baxter now injured, he is going to have to step up and become the strong player that the Longhorns need.

Who else do the Texas Longhorns have at running back?

Firstly, there is Quintrevion Wisner. Wisner only played three games last season and recorded 12 carries. But he rushed for 73 yards and one touchdown against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He is likely to now be the backup running back and has already garnered praise from coach Steve Sarkisian.

"Tre's a baller. We saw the physicality that Tre possessed last year on special teams," Sarkisian said (h/t Austin American-Statesman). "He was a demon on special teams for us last year."

In addition to Wisner, the Longhorns have recruited two top running backs: Jerrick Gibson, the third-best running back in the country according to 247 Sports and Christian Clark. While they may not play this season, they are likely to be stars for the team in the coming years.

The Texas Longhorns appear to have a lot of depth in this position. While CJ Baxter is out for the season, it seems that Sarkisian will have little trouble in finding a replacement from the talented roster.