Jaydon Blue addresses looming decision on future at Texas, 2025 NFL Draft

Texas running back Jaydon Blue said ahead of the 2024 season that he was hoping to turn pro and enter the NFL Draft after this year.

Blue was asked on Monday ahead of the Peach Bowl if that is still his plan. He admitted that he would like to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, but added that he hasn’t made a final decision yet.

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“It all depends on how I finish this season,” Jaydon Blue said Monday at Media Days ahead of the Peach Bowl. “You know, I would like to not have to come back another year. But you know, I’m going to do what’s best for me.

“But the main thing is I’m just focused on going to win a national championship.”

Jaydon Blue has had a strong season for the Longhorns in 2024. The junior has 126 carries for 710 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. He’s also caught 36 passes for 298 yards and four scores.

Blue had a monster game in the first round of the College Football Playoff against Clemson, rushing for 146 yards and two scores, while averaging 10.4 yards per attempt.

A native of Houston, Jaydon Blue signed with Texas after being ranked as a four-star recruit and the No. 11 running back in the country in the class of 2022, per the On3 Industry Rankings.

Arch Manning confirms he has ‘no plans’ on entering transfer portal, leaving Texas

While Jaydon Blue is still unsure on his future at Texas, Longhorns QB Arch Manning said Monday that he isn’t going anywhere.

“I really have no plans on entering the portal or anything,” Manning said.

Manning’s statement is a massive weight off Texas fans’ shoulders. There have been rumors about Manning’s plans this offseason, particularly as QB1 Quinn Ewers has looked more and more likely to return for another season.

Entering the season, Ewers was projected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, after inconsistent play and injury issues, Ewers’ draft stock has slipped. Many fans believed that if Ewers opted to return next season, Manning would move on from the program. Now, that appears to not be the case.

While Manning has still served as the Longhorns’ backup QB this season, he’s had far more opportunities to shine than he did in his true freshman campaign. Manning has completed 67.8% of his pass attempts for 939 yards and nine touchdowns this season while only throwing two interceptions.