Coming out of high school in 2023, Cedric "C.J." Baxter was the No.1-ranked prep running back in the country, and Texas was elated when he committed in August of 2022. Though his career hasn't gone the way he had originally planned due to injuries, he continues to hold his head high and maintain an excellent attitude.
It's always hard as a "star" player to battle and overcome multiple injuries, especially one as serious as a season-ending knee injury. The fact that it happened in a simple practice adds even more frustration to the situation. He's done a great job working back from that, being able to takeoff his knee brace in fall camp a couple months ago.
After just three weeks into the 2025 season, he suffers a hamstring injury against UTEP that ends up sidelining him for another four games. Thankfully, he was able to come back and carry the ball nine times against Mississippi State last week to help knock the rust off.
CJ Baxter with a nice run on first down pic.twitter.com/kyUXhbbR8n
— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) October 25, 2025
When asked about his career so far during his recent pre-Vanderbilt game presser, Baxter said:
"I ultimately want to go to the next level which I think God has those plans for me, I still have those plans myself but it's not on my timing. It's all about the man above, it's on his timing"
This was such a humble response by Baxter. There are plenty of players out there who could've expressed frustration or anger, but not CJ.
His ability to stay calm and composed regarding how his path at the University of Texas has played out so far really takes maturity and resilience. He's not sitting in his room and sulking, he's out there ready to push forward and make the most of every situation that he's put in.
It's easy to see that all Baxter cares about are things that he can ultimately control, and he's going to do everything he can to be successful with those things.
CJ Baxter has been playing with an enormous chip on his shoulder ever since he came back from that devastating knee injury last year, and he's ready to go out and have a successful game against Vanderbilt this weekend alongside Tre Wisner.