Looking toward Texas football's future: Jerrick Gibson

Two preseason injuries at the running back position put true freshman Jerrick Gibson in line for significant playing time in the 2024 season. When Cedric Baxter and Christian Clark were lost for the year, Gibson jumped up to the No. 3 running back behind Quintrevion Wisner and Jaydon Blue.

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“The first thing with JG with the injuries happening early on in the season, he was thrust in the position where he would have to be available and be able to play,” Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice said prior to the Peach Bowl. “Last year with CJ, I started the year knowing he was going to be the starter on the team, so it’s a little different because a lot of times with freshmen you want them to try to see how it is and see if they’re mature enough.

“JG has got some mature qualities about him, but for me freshmen can’t do anything right. It’s a learning curve for them because of the way we practice, what I expect from the position. The expectations, it’s a lot coming from a kid out of high school because they’re not going to know everything that it entails to be able to start at running back or play a lot at the University of Texas. There’s a learning curve, and just like Ced last year, he ended up getting better at the end of the year.

“Jerrick is very similar. He’s been productive. He had some ball security issues during the year, and I was really hard on him about that because we’ve got to protect the team. The number one thing is to protect the football. We’ve got to die with the football.”

Gibson was listed at 205 pounds, just a bit more than the 200-pound number ascribed to Wisner and Blue. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and Choice gave Gibson plenty of opportunity early. Gibson carried the ball 33 times for 178 yards and two touchdowns during the Longhorns’ first three games, including 10 carries for 36 yards and a score at Michigan.

His usage waned over the ensuing weeks even with Wisner getting dinged up. He notched 100 yards and a score against Florida, the school from his hometown of Gainesville, and iced the game versus Clemson with a late rush. That was indicative of the skill set Gibson provided, as he had no issues with the straight-forward responsibilities but could not be relied upon when passing was on the table. Gibson had three total pass-blocking reps in 2024 across 127 snaps.

“The speed of the game and being intent in every little thing,” Gibson said in the lead up to the Peach Bowl about the biggest adjustment at the college level. “It’s more about the little things in this league than high school. That’s the biggest difference.”

He’d later add, “you’ve got to do the little things right every time.”

Gibson’s opportunity to get his feet wet and become a part of the Longhorn offense during his freshman season bodes well for his future as a Longhorn. Plus, with the type of injuries Baxter and Clark sustained, there’s no guarantee they’ll be 100 percent come August despite positive returns on their recovery up to this point.

So, what does Gibson have to do ahead of his sophomore year to make it better than his debut season? In a lot of ways, he just has to keep doing what he’s doing.

“For me, he’s doing an excellent job,” Choice said. “He’s coachable. I’m on his head every single day. I don’t let up because once he really gets it and once he plays a little faster, understanding what his eyes see, he’s going to be a really good running back.”

Gibson rushed 78 times for 377 yards and four touchdowns, and was on the field for some of Texas’ most pivotal plays including the ill-fated goal-line attempts versus Ohio State. But as mentioned, the odds Texas was passing with the “Baby Rhino” on the field were slim to none.

For Choice, helping Gibson become an every-down threat and a complete back as opposed to solely a straight-forward runner is one of his major goals of the offseason for No. 9.

“Defensive coordinators are getting paid a lot of money, and these defensive players on the other side are good as well,” Choice said. “The blitz packages, how they’re trying to exploit the back sometimes to make you pass protect and understanding what your vision is supposed to see. The most important thing is running the football is also pass protection. Who do I have? Get to my spot. Technique. A lot of things you have to learn to be a complete back.”

The Longhorn running back room will look different in 2025. Blue is off to the NFL, meaning 134 of the 570 carries from the 2024 season are departing. Baxter will be back in some form at some point, and similar applies for Clark.

Gibson will have lessons learned from Wisner, Blue, and Baxter, plus 127 snaps of experience at his disposal when contending for carries in 2025. He plans to use it on his way toward becoming a more complete option for Choice and the Longhorns after a solid first season in burnt orange.

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“I enjoyed sitting back, watching the older guys play, learning from them, and when I got my opportunity, making the most of it,” Gibson said.