Scouting Journals for CJ Baxter Jr.

Big-framed runner with the ability to hit home runs. Went from a versatile athlete to a bell cow back in his junior season. Has the largest frame of top running backs in the 2023 cycle, checking in at over 6-foot-1 and around 215 pounds prior to his senior season. Has room to add more mass with his frame and could top out around 230 pounds. Gets downhill quickly. Shows the ability to make cuts at full speed in tight quarters. Efficient in his cuts with little wasted movement. Has the stride and on-field play speed to pull away once in the open field. Capable of running with power and has shown signs of a dangerous stiff arm. At his best when given a runway as an outside runner. Productive in Florida’s top classification as a junior, rushing for 1,651 yards and 22 touchdowns. Got off to a hot start as a senior as well, prior to sustaining an injury that limited his touches in the second half of the season. Draws on his background as a wide receiver as a pass catcher out of the backfield. A natural pass catcher with quickness in his routes. Among the better pass-catching running backs in the 2023 cycle. Has dealt with hamstring injuries.

Cedric Baxter (No. 22) has been the top-ranked running back for On3 dating back to last fall. The Texas commit has always had a high-end combination of size, power, play speed and versatility. With that said, Baxter has continued to raise his game as a senior. The 6-foot-1.5, 215-pounder has run for over 870 yards and seven touchdowns on 100 rush attempts. He’s averaging well over 200 yards per contest while leading Orlando Edgewater to a 4-0 record against stiff competition. Baxter has shown toughness, big-play ability and advanced on-field intelligence early on as a senior.