Texas 2025 Spring Camp Series: Running Back Competition is Wide Open

Along with a hefty amount of pollen, spring is in the air. The Texas Football program is currently on spring break ahead of the official start of spring ball on Tuesday, March 25th. 

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With so many new players in the program, whether added from the transfer portal or high school, what better time to assess what we hope to learn at each position group over the next month and change?

The loss of so much talent to the NFL creates plenty of angles to assess, so let’s get to assessin’.

We started with the defensive tackles but will now skip randomly to running backs.

Running it Back

Tre Wisner was a workhorse for the 2024 offense and even found his way to 1,000 yards on the season, thanks in large part to that workload. When I think about Wisner, a player roundly considered the toughest on the team, I remember his back-to-back weeks against Kentucky and A&M when he totaled 59 carries for 344 yards. Texas had to beat A&M in the return of the rivalry game and largely controlled the contest with Wisner often breaking Aggie tackles. He also ran roughshod over Clemson. But despite that season, Wisner isn’t guaranteed to start. In fact, a diminished workload would likely make him a bigger play threat after he averaged 4.7 yards per carry. In my estimation, he’d be a sensational third-down back thanks to his receiving ability and blitz pickup.

IT has been reporting all winter how expectations for Jerrick Gibson are very high in his second year. He certainly had his share of freshman miscues but nobody seems concerned about those going forward. Obviously, especially under this staff, players improve. The sophomore is viewed as a volume back who can run inside or bounce it outside. He might not break a 75-yard touchdown but he should be devastating in the 10- to 20-yard range. Despite some issues as a freshman, his ability as unmistakable at times. I love the Frank Gore comp offered by one source.

Expect big things out of Gibson in 2025. Buy stock now.

Studs on the Mend

The running back position was hit hard by the injury bug last year but both Christian Clark and CJ Baxter have had positive responses to rehabilitation. After sustaining an achilles injury of some sort, Clark will participate during spring ball, though not likely during contact periods. Still, his availability in any capacity is a great sign for his readiness come August. When healthy, Clark is the most dynamic back in the program, meaning he has the best ability to make something out of nothing. He did lose an important developmental season, however.

Baxter was positioned for a breakout sophomore season but that didn’t materialize after his knee injury. He won’t participate in the spring, per Steve Sarkisian, but word is his return is right on schedule. Expect him to be a full participant in August, though they’ll likely keep him on a pitch count heading into the season.

True Freshmen Will Receive Plenty of Work

The staff already knows what it has in Wisner, Baxter is out, and Clark will be limited. That means there will be plenty of work for Gibson and true freshman James Simon and Rickey Stewart Jr.

Given how quickly injuries can hit a position, the freshmen will need to take full advantage of every rep. I feel pretty strongly Simon can play as a true freshman if needed, though I’m still trying to get a handle on Stewart.

Do They Need a Portal Back?

Whether on Inside Texas or Inside Texas Football on YouTube (like and subscribe!), we’re often asked if the coaches will take a running back out of the transfer portal. The portal is set to open from April 16 to April 25.

Our intel points to the coaches standing pat with what they have, which also coincides with the belief in Gibson, the floor being set by Wisner, and Clark and Baxter expected back fully healthy.

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HOWEVER, since last August I’ve felt they needed an experienced running back for this season. My intuition doesn’t necessarily align with my information. We’ll see what happens. The coaches, including new coach Chad Scott, will have plenty of data on the position between the start of camp on March 25th and April 16th.

In Closing

I think Gibson will be the first running back out on the field when Texas descends on Ohio State but that’s speculative. Counting out Tre Wisner is foolish and players returning from injury offer even more variability.

If Texas has a fully healthy room of Wisner, Gibson, Clark, and Baxter, not to mention two true freshmen, I could see why the staff would be hesitant to bring in a transfer.