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Texas

Quinn Ewers willing to run more amid running back injuries

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•08/13/24•

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Quinn Ewers (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

Once looking like one of the deepest positions on campus, running back is now running thing for Texas. Two season-ending injuries have occurred in the past week, with CJ Baxter (knee) and Christian Clark (Achilles) going down in practice. Texas still has Jaydon Blue as their top back but has just two guys behind him for what could be a lengthy year.

Quinn Ewers was always going to play a big role for the Longhorns in 2024. But with less depth at running back, he is willing to step up in the area if asked by head coach Steve Sarkisian. No, not taking handoffs but getting involved in the run game, something he is not known for.

“That definitely hurts to see go down,” Ewers said. “Injuries do happen, it’s just a part of the game we play. It sucks to see that for sure.

“Coach (Tashard) Choice and Coach Sarkisian do a great job of recruiting good running backs that can ultimately fill in the position if needed. Ultimately, I’m just doing whatever I can to help this team win football games. If that means I need to run more, then so be it.”

If Sarkisian’s history tells us anything, Ewers will not hear his number called too often, if ever. Sarkisian worked with Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones while at Alabama, two pocket passers. Go back even further to the USC and Washington days, quarterback runs were usually not a part of the gameplan.

Ewers has 83 rushing attempts to his name, going for 23 yards. Not eye-popping, or good, by any means but in college football, taking a sack will come off your rushing tally.

Last season did see Ewers score five touchdowns on the ground, two of which came against Kansas. The week prior against Baylor may have been the best run of his college career, going 29 yards for the score.

Texas will have to figure something out at running back. Blue has the capability of rushing for 1,000 yards but cannot take on the entire load. Tre Wisner and Jerrick Gibson are the other two scholarship running backs on the roster. Neither will be expected to have massive roles in 2024 but will now be called upon.

Absolute worst-case scenario, we may see Ewers attempting to run by defenders in the SEC. He is more than willing but checking with Sarkisian on the thought may be a good idea.