Texas's RB room 'only getting better' this spring

The running back room has been a major strength for Texas football regarding talent and depth for the last few years. Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice has done a great job bringing in top targets on the recruiting trail in the last couple of cycles, paying dividends for the strength of the backfield rotation entering the SEC in 2024.

State of the Texas football RB room

While the Longhorns' running back room was extremely strong over the last two or three seasons, this group of rushers in the mix in 2024 might be the best Sarkisian's had in his four years at Texas.

Led by sophomore CJ Baxter Jr. and junior Jaydon Blue, Texas has a fantastic top duo in the backfield for this upcoming season. The Longhorns also have some real depth at running back, going at least five or six deep regarding scholarship players at the position this spring.

True freshman and early enrollees Jerrick Gibson and Christian Clark have made instant impressions on the coaches and their teammates early in spring ball. Gibson and Clark could theoretically be early-impact players if the Longhorns didn't have the level of proven depth and experience at the top of the RB depth chart this year.

Sophomores Savion Red and Tre Wisner are also capable backs who provide real value and versatility to the RB rotation. Red is a versatile playmaker who made plays as a receiver, running back, and out of the wildcat (or "Redcat") formation last season.

Wisner made a big impact on special teams with the coverage units and looked solid in the limited stints he got in garbage time in live-game action during his true freshman campaign last fall.

Beyond the impact that the early enrollees have made on the running backs for the Longhorns this spring, the biggest storyline is the impressive duo that Texas has with Blue and Baxter leading the backfield. Baxter and Blue are two different style running backs, while both being able to expose opposing defenses with their ability out in space and speed/agility carrying the ball on the ground.

Horns247 reported on March 28 (paid content) that Baxter and Blue are "only getting better" as Texas's top duo at running back this spring.

"We moved our runners around more today probably more than we have for a first practice of spring ball, so we want to play to their strengths and I think having a really experienced quarterback helps you be able to be more versatile offensively. "

The combination of depth and talent that the Longhorns have in the running back room this spring makes this one of the most impressive position groups on either side of the ball for Texas. The running back room seems to be exactly where Sarkisian wanted it to be entering spring ball this year.

Texas's improving results player development translating at RB

In the last couple of years, Texas has sent multiple highly-sought-after running back prospects to the NFL Draft as early-round picks. Last year, Bijan Robinson broke the Longhorns' drought of first-round NFL Draft picks, getting selected in the top 10 by the Atlanta Falcons.

Fellow former Texas running back Roschon Johnson was also picked in the middle rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, by the Chicago Bears last year.

Texas's pipeline of development at the running back position to the NFL has produced another potential early-round pick in the draft this year. Jonathon Brooks is viewed by many media outlets as the top RB prospect on the big board for the 2024 draft this spring.

It's not only the impressive results on offense, but also the player development and recruiting track record that Choice brings that makes the Longhorns such a force to be reckoned with now and in the future at RB.

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