Texas Football 2025: Running Back Preview
The 2025 Texas Longhorns football season is shaping up to be a pivotal one, as the program continues to build momentum under head coach Steve Sarkisian. After a promising 2024 campaign, the Longhorns are looking to capitalize on the talent they have assembled across all positions, but none may be more important than the running back group. This unit has the potential to be a game-changer for Texas in 2025, with a talented and dynamic cast of runners ready to take the field.
In this preview, we’ll break down the Texas Longhorns’ running back depth chart, focusing on CJ Baxter, Tre Wisner, and other key contributors who are set to make an impact for the Longhorns in the upcoming season.
CJ Baxter: The Rising Star
If there’s one name on Texas’ roster that fans are eagerly watching, it’s that of CJ Baxter. After an impressive freshman season in 2024, Baxter has the potential to emerge as one of the top running backs in the nation in 2025. A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Baxter showed flashes of brilliance as he quickly adapted to college football.
Strengths:
- Vision and Patience: Baxter’s ability to read the defense and wait for the holes to develop makes him a dangerous runner. His patience behind the line of scrimmage allows him to set up his blockers and find lanes to break through.
- Power and Balance: At 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Baxter has a blend of size and power that allows him to break through tackles and churn out extra yardage. His low center of gravity and balance make him tough to bring down, especially in short-yardage situations.
- Speed: Baxter possesses good burst and long speed. Once he hits the open field, he can take it to the house, making him a threat to score on every touch.
What to Expect in 2025:
As the focal point of the Longhorns’ running game, Baxter will likely see an increased workload in 2025. With a year of college football under his belt, he should continue to grow in his decision-making and become even more effective in both the running and passing game. Expect him to be a workhorse for Texas, receiving 15-20 carries per game and playing a crucial role in the offensive game plan.
Baxter could also take on more responsibilities in the passing game, adding another dimension to his already impressive skill set. With his ability to catch passes out of the backfield, he could become a safety valve for quarterback Quinn Ewers, giving Texas an even more dynamic offense.
Tre Wisner: The Explosive Playmaker
Joining Baxter in the backfield is Tre Wisner, another highly touted prospect who brings a different skill set to the table. Wisner is known for his breakaway speed and ability to make defenders miss in the open field. While he may not be as physically imposing as Baxter, Wisner is a versatile weapon that will add a new layer of explosiveness to the Texas offense in 2025.
Strengths:
- Speed and Quickness: Wisner is an elite athlete who can make defenders miss with his agility and burst. He has the kind of speed that can turn a short gain into a big play at any moment, and his acceleration through the hole is second to none.
- Elusiveness: One of Wisner’s most notable traits is his ability to make defenders miss in the open field. Whether it’s with a juke, spin move, or simply outrunning his opponents, Wisner is tough to tackle in space.
- Home Run Threat: Perhaps the most exciting aspect of Wisner’s game is his ability to take the ball the distance. He can turn any carry into a potential touchdown, and his long-speed makes him a constant threat to break off huge gains.
What to Expect in 2025:
While Wisner might not be the primary ball carrier in 2025, expect him to play a key role in Texas’ offense. As a change-of-pace back, he could come in to provide a spark on key downs or in situational plays where his speed can exploit the defense.
In addition to his role in the running game, Wisner could also contribute in the return game or even as a receiver out of the backfield. His explosiveness could make him a dangerous weapon on screen passes, and Sarkisian is known for utilizing versatile playmakers like Wisner in a variety of ways.
With the right opportunities, Wisner has the potential to emerge as a major playmaker for the Longhorns, providing game-changing moments throughout the season.
Other Key Contributors
While CJ Baxter and Tre Wisner will likely lead the way in the Texas backfield, the Longhorns have a number of other backs who could step up and make a significant impact in 2025. With the depth that Texas has built at the running back position, the coaching staff has a lot of options to work with.
Keilan Robinson: The Veteran Presence
Keilan Robinson is an experienced running back who has been a solid contributor for Texas since transferring from Alabama. While he may not be the most physically imposing back, Robinson brings a wealth of experience to the position and could be a key asset in 2025. His ability to play multiple roles—whether as a change-of-pace back, pass catcher, or occasional ball carrier—gives Texas flexibility in how they deploy him.
Robinson’s role could increase in 2025, especially in third-down situations where his quickness and pass-catching ability would be valuable. With his experience and knowledge of the system, Robinson will likely play a key role in keeping defenses on their toes.
Jonathan Brooks: The Potential Breakout Player
Jonathan Brooks is another running back to keep an eye on. After spending some time behind other players on the depth chart, Brooks has shown flashes of promise and could break out in 2025. He has solid vision and running technique, and if he can put it all together, he could push for more carries this season.
Brooks’ ability to pick up blitzes and contribute in the passing game also makes him a valuable asset in a high-powered offense like Texas’. If injuries or fatigue affect the top two backs, expect Brooks to get his fair share of opportunities.
Jaydon Blue: The Freshman
One of the most exciting aspects of Texas’ 2025 running back room is the addition of freshman Jaydon Blue. Blue comes in as one of the top recruits in the country, with many considering him one of the best all-purpose backs in his class. His vision, quickness, and ability to break tackles make him an intriguing option for Texas’ future.
While it may be difficult for Blue to leapfrog the experienced backs in the depth chart immediately, expect him to make an impact in certain situations. He could see opportunities in special teams or be used in a rotational role throughout the season to get his feet wet before taking on a larger role in the years to come.
The Offensive Line: A Key to Success
As important as the talent in the backfield is, the success of Texas’ running game in 2025 will depend largely on the play of the offensive line. The Longhorns have invested a lot in recruiting and developing a powerful, physical offensive line that will need to perform at a high level to ensure the success of their running backs.
With experienced players like Junior Angilau and Neto Umeozulu anchoring the front, the Longhorns should have one of the top offensive lines in the Big 12 in 2025. If they can create consistent push up front and open running lanes, Baxter, Wisner, and the other running backs will be able to exploit defenses and take over games.
The Impact of Steve Sarkisian’s Scheme
One of the most exciting aspects of the Texas offense is the way head coach Steve Sarkisian utilizes his running backs. Sarkisian is known for his creative, high-tempo offense that emphasizes balance between the passing and running games. Under his direction, the running backs will not only get carries, but will also be involved in the passing game, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the offense.
Sarkisian’s scheme is designed to put defenders in tough positions, and his ability to incorporate the running backs as weapons in multiple facets of the offense will help Texas make the most of their talent at the position. Whether it’s motioning a back out into the slot, running screen passes, or utilizing a power running game, Sarkisian’s offense will ensure that the Longhorns’ running backs are regularly put in positions to succeed.
Leave a Reply