AUSTIN – When the fourth-ranked University of Texas football team opens its season with a game against Colorado State on Saturday afternoon, a lot of attention will be on what the Longhorns’ backfield looks like.
Projected No. 1 running back CJ Baxter, a sophomore, was out for the season on Aug. 6 with a torn ACL and cruciate ligament. A week later, freshman Christian Clark’s season ended with a torn Achilles tendon.
After Baxter’s injury, it was clear that Jaydon Blue’s role would expand after an optimistic conclusion to his sophomore season in 2023. With his role becoming even more important, it is worth mentioning that in 23 career games, Blue never had more than 10 rushing attempts or 13 touches in a single game.
While there may be great confidence in Blue’s abilities, asking the Houston native to take on more responsibility is uncharted territory.
“Whatever is best for the team, I’m OK with that, whether I get 20 or 25 carries a game or I’m more of a receiver guy,” Blue said Monday afternoon after practice. “I’m just willing to do what’s best for the team.”
“The most important thing is that (running backs) Coach (Tashard) Choice puts a lot of emphasis on selection and I took that into account. I had to train a lot harder as if it were a game so I have the stamina to carry the ball 20 or 25 times.”
One factor at play here, which was discussed with both Blue and Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian on Monday, is that Blue is not generally viewed as a running back between the tackles. Rather, Blue excelled in space last season and utilized his speed, whether as a runner or as a pass catcher out of the backfield.
Sarkisian, who also calls the offensive plays, will not completely forego using Blue’s best qualities, but will not be the focus of the running attack.
Why do people think Blue can get between the tackles effectively? He paid attention to what was happening in front of him on the depth chart.
“I’m just thankful for where I am now and I’m thankful for the guys that came before me,” Blue said. “Bijan (Robinson), Roschon (Johnson), JB (Jonathon Brooks), Keilan Robinson, all those guys. They’ve helped me every year since I’ve been here and just seeing the way those guys work and the way they did things, they did things right. Just following their example helped prepare me for a moment like this.”
Sarkisian added: “We’re going to run between the tackles. They learn to run when they come, the day they show up here. Three years ago I couldn’t have said that about Jaydon Blue, but he was a backup to Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, Jonathon Brooks and he’s more than capable. Tre Wisner, Jerrick Gibson, all those guys.”
Wisner, a sophomore who played in all 14 games in 2023 but mostly on special teams, is the presumptive RB2, while Gibson, a freshman, had been battling with Clark for RB3 duties before Clark got injured.
In addition to Blue, Wisner and Gibson, Sarkisian recently said that first-year wide receiver Ryan Niblett has been working with the running backs, while Velton Gardner, who transferred from SMU, was a late transfer last week.
Due to his late arrival, it is unknown whether or not Gardner will compete on Saturday.
