This G5 transfer portal RB could allow Texas to pivot from UF's Jadan Baugh

The Longhorns unfortunately received some bad news today as their starting running back, Quintrevion Wisner, has informed the team that he plans on entering the transfer portal in January. Despite the massive hole his departure leaves in the RB room, there's a new player in the portal that might cause Texas to shift it's focus away from Florida's Jadan Baugh (if he officially enters).

Jacksonville State's Cam Cook, who was undoubtedly the best running back at the G5 level and probably a top 5 overall back in all of college football, recently became available.

Despite the rumors swirling about the Longhorns being locked-in on Florida's Jadan Baugh if he enters, Cook could completely cause Steve Sarkisian and Co. to forget about the SEC stud. Cook is much smaller than Baugh at 5'11", 200 lbs., but he has elite athleticism and patience at the line of scrimmage. Very few ball-carriers in football right now show the type of contact balance that Cook does on a consistent basis, which allows him to bounce off would-be tacklers left and right.

He rushed for 1,659 yards on 295 carries in 2025, averaging 5.6 ypc for the Gamecocks. He also scored 16 rushing touchdowns this year, often times carrying the offense on his back in close games.

Cook also improved as a pass-catcher this season, catching 30 passes for 286 receiving yards.

Regarding his prospects for the Longhorns, the Round Rock, TX, native projects to be a more athletic version of Tre Wisner. Cook has much better field vision than Wisner does as a pure runner, but Wisner is probably a more dangerous threat as a receiver out of the backfield than Cook would be.

Cook could undoubtedly elevate Texas' ground attack in 2026, even more so as an every-down back than Jadan Baugh. The Longhorns need and injection of talent at the running back spot this offseason, and Cam Cook is likely the best option for the team to do so.

Fun fact: Cook led the NCAA in rushing in 2025.