Texas 'looking at all options' for adding a running back

Injuries have already started to take their toll on the Texas Longhorns. In particular, the running back unit has been hit hard, with CJ Baxter going down with a torn LCL/PCL and Christian Clark tearing his Achilles. Both are out for the season.

Now, as head coach Steve Sarkisian explained, Texas is looking at all options for adding a running back despite how close it is to the start of the season.

“We are,” Steve Sarkisian said. “We definitely have a spot that we can utilize. Again, a lot of times this late in the game, it’s probably not a traditional transfer, maybe more of a graduate transfer, something of the sort. So we’re kind of looking at all of our options there.”

One problem with adding someone from the Transfer Portal at this point is that the options are much more limited. Still, there are several available running backs in the Transfer Portal. Because of that, Sarkisian knows that he would need to find the right player for Texas if he’s going to add from the outside.

“We just don’t want to take a body, to take a body,” Sarkisian said. “If it’s someone that can help us in some capacity, maybe limited role, bigger role, whatever that is, we are we are looking at all options.”

Coming into the 2024 season, CJ Baxter was expected to be a key piece of the Texas offense who helped the Longhorns compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff. He’s coming off a productive freshman season in 2023, which saw him rush for 659 yards and five touchdowns.

Now, amid the injuries to Texas’ roster, Steve Sarkisian still has options to try and replace the production lost to injuries. That, notably, includes Jaydon Blue, who contributed last season. Then, players like Quintrevion Wisner and Jerrick Gibson could contribute in 2024 as well.

Texas QB Quinn Ewers willing to run more amid running back injuries

Amid this rash of injuries to the running backs, star quarterback Quinn Ewers has shared that he’s willing to run more to try and make up the difference.

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

“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.”