2025 Texas Longhorns Football Preview Highlights Stacked Running Back Room Ready to Dominate SEC Defenses With Depth and Versatility
The Texas Longhorns enter the 2025 season with high expectations and a roster loaded with talent across every position group, but no unit may be more quietly dangerous — or as ready to explode — than the running back room. After years of development, recruitment, and smart rotation, head coach Steve Sarkisian and running backs coach Tashard Choice have built one of the deepest and most versatile groups in the country. As the Horns transition fully into SEC competition, this running back stable could be the engine that drives the offense through the gauntlet of elite defenses.
The names alone strike a chord of anticipation. Texas doesn’t just have talent in the backfield — it has variety, experience, youth, and game-breaking ability. At the center of it all is sophomore phenom CJ Baxter, who flashed elite potential as a freshman and now looks ready to take the next step as a feature back. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, Baxter brings the rare blend of power and speed that programs covet in an SEC-caliber lead rusher. After earning significant carries last season, he enters 2025 as the presumed starter, and all signs point toward a breakout campaign.
Baxter’s vision, patience, and acceleration make him dangerous in both zone and gap schemes. He’s shown improvement in pass protection and ball security — two critical elements that determine a back’s ability to stay on the field in Sarkisian’s system. What makes Baxter even more dangerous is how he wears down defenses. He can handle 20+ carries per game if needed, and his ability to turn small gains into big ones will be essential in the more physical battles Texas will face in the SEC. Coaches believe he could be one of the best backs in the conference, and the workload is there for him to prove it.
But Baxter isn’t alone. In fact, what makes this group so scary is the quality of talent behind him. Sophomore Tre Wisner offers a change of pace with elite burst and shiftiness. He’s the kind of back who thrives in space and creates mismatches when aligned out wide or in the slot. While he may not carry the bulk of inside runs, his role in the passing game and perimeter run packages will be huge. He’s the sparkplug — the “get him the ball and watch” type player.
Then there’s true freshman Jerrick Gibson, the five-star powerhouse from IMG Academy. Gibson arrives in Austin with immense hype, and early reviews from spring workouts suggest he’s the real deal. Thickly built, explosive, and already possessing strong lower-body strength, Gibson could carve out a meaningful role in the rotation right away. While Baxter might be the top back on paper, Gibson could force his way onto the field with his unique physical profile and knack for gaining tough yards. He’s got the look of a future NFL running back, and the only thing standing between him and early success is adapting to the speed and complexity of the college game.
Seniors like Jaydon Blue and Savion Red bring experience and specialized skills. Blue, once a top recruit himself, offers a versatile skill set and has taken on a leadership role in the room. He understands the offense, knows how to read blitzes, and can be relied upon in short-yardage situations. Savion Red, who initially began as a wide receiver and morphed into a running back in the hybrid “Red Cat” role, brings creativity to the playbook. He’s been used in wildcat packages, short-yardage designs, and gadget plays, and his ability to throw or catch the ball gives Sarkisian options most offensive coordinators dream about.
What sets this group apart, though, isn’t just talent — it’s the way each piece complements the other. You have Baxter as the workhorse, Gibson as the hammer-in-waiting, Wisner as the scatback with flair, Blue as the do-it-all veteran, and Red as the wild card. This is not a committee born of necessity — it’s a carefully assembled, flexible arsenal that allows Sarkisian to tailor his rushing attack based on opponent, game flow, and personnel packages.
The offensive line returning in 2025 only bolsters expectations. Texas is bringing back multiple starters from a unit that gelled late last season and added premier recruits to the depth chart. With Kyle Flood continuing to coach a physical, cohesive line up front, the run game should have more space to operate. SEC defenses are fast and nasty, but Texas believes its O-line — coupled with the depth in the backfield — gives them a rare edge.
Scheme-wise, Sarkisian will take full advantage of this wealth of running back talent. Texas’ offense is rooted in balance and unpredictability. Whether through inside zone, stretch runs, tosses, RPOs, or misdirection, the Longhorns’ playbook is designed to get the ball to their most dynamic players in space. Expect a heavy dose of two-back sets, motion, and play-action passes that leverage the running game to create mismatches in the secondary. With a healthy quarterback room led by Quinn Ewers and an arsenal of talented receivers, defenses can’t afford to stack the box. That’s when the run game will feast.
Perhaps the most underrated storyline entering 2025 is the way these backs push each other. Competition breeds excellence, and every player in the room knows snaps aren’t guaranteed. That level of accountability has created a culture of urgency, where every rep in practice matters and players are constantly improving. Tashard Choice, known as one of the best developers and motivators in the business, has kept the group focused and unified despite the intense competition.
The SEC demands depth, and Texas is prepared. Injuries happen. Roles evolve. The back who finishes the season strong may not be the one who starts Week 1. But Texas is insulated against attrition better than most programs in the country. If Baxter needs a breather or misses time, Gibson or Blue can take over. If the passing game needs a spark, Wisner and Red offer options. It’s not just depth for the sake of numbers — it’s elite depth with defined skillsets that create matchup problems.
This year’s schedule provides a true testing ground for the backs. Early non-conference games will allow the staff to evaluate the rotation and build confidence, but the SEC slate is grueling. Matchups against Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M will require physical, consistent ground production. Having a stable of backs that can rotate and maintain a high level of performance is key to surviving the attrition of conference play. In short-yardage, red zone, and late-game situations, having fresh legs and different styles of runners will be critical.
Expect Texas to use the running game as a foundation. Even with Ewers, Arch Manning, and a talented receiving corps, Sarkisian understands that in the SEC, games are won in the trenches. The run game sets the tone, controls the clock, and breaks the will of defenses. If Texas can consistently run the ball behind this group, they’ll be a nightmare to stop — and College Football Playoff contenders by midseason.
As media buzz centers around Texas’ transition to the SEC, the quarterback battle, and high-profile recruiting wins, the running back room remains one of the program’s best-kept secrets. Insiders know how good this group is. Coaches talk about them with quiet confidence. And players like Baxter and Gibson are ready to prove it to the rest of the country.
Texas hasn’t had this kind of depth in the backfield since the glory days of backs like Cedric Benson, Jamaal Charles, and Ricky Williams. Now, with a mix of youth and experience, explosiveness and consistency, the Longhorns appear poised to run their way through the SEC — literally. The foundation is set. The depth is real. And come fall, the rest of the country might finally realize what insiders in Austin already know: the 2025 Texas running back room isn’t just good. It might be the best in the nation.
