Texas Longhorns Face Running Back Exodus, But Opportunities Lie Ahead
In a significant shift for the Texas Longhorns football program, the team is experiencing a substantial departure of talent at the running back position. Most notably, Quintrevion Wisner and C.J. Baxter have entered the transfer portal, leaving head coach Steve Sarkisian with a critical void to fill in the offensive backfield. This exodus comes at a pivotal time for the Longhorns, who are navigating the competitive landscape of college football with championship aspirations. While these losses certainly present challenges, the situation isn’t entirely dire—the program received excellent news that quarterback Arch Manning will remain with the team for at least another year rather than declaring early for the NFL Draft after his redshirt sophomore season, providing stability at the most important position on the field.
The running back position remains particularly crucial for Sarkisian’s offensive system, which relies heavily on establishing the ground game to set up effective Run-Pass Options and play-action passes. This philosophy has been a cornerstone of the Longhorns’ offensive identity, making the current shortage of ball carriers a pressing concern that must be addressed through strategic recruitment via the transfer portal. Despite the talent drain, there’s a silver lining: with the right additions, Texas could potentially upgrade their running back room beyond last season’s capabilities. The transfer portal has become an increasingly vital resource for programs looking to reload quickly, and for a prestigious program like Texas—with its storied history, premier facilities, and the appeal of competing at the highest level—attracting elite transfer talent is certainly within reach.
Among the potential solutions to Texas’ running back situation, Florida’s Jadan Baugh stands out as perhaps the most enticing option should he enter the transfer portal. Though Baugh is currently expected to remain at Florida for next season, rumors persist about his potential departure from Gainesville. At 6-foot-1 and 231 pounds, Baugh represents the prototype of a modern power back with additional dimensions to his game—he combines imposing size with surprising burst, straight-line speed, and excellent vision. His production speaks volumes: 220 carries for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns last season, demonstrating both durability and effectiveness. According to Sports Illustrated’s Henry Hipschman, Baugh would not only be the ideal replacement for the departing Wisner but potentially the single most impactful addition available in the transfer market, making him a tantalizing target for the Longhorns’ coaching staff.
Securing Baugh’s services, however, will be no simple task. Florida head coach Jon Sumrall recognizes Baugh’s immense value and is reportedly making significant efforts to retain his star running back, particularly given the threat of him being lured away by an SEC competitor like Texas. The Longhorns would likely need to present a compelling financial package through NIL opportunities, along with the appealing prospect of sharing a backfield with a quarterback of Manning’s pedigree and draft potential. The combination of Manning’s arm talent and Baugh’s running ability could create a truly dynamic offensive attack that would give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares and potentially elevate Texas to legitimate national championship contention.
Beyond his immediate impact, what makes Baugh especially attractive is his remaining eligibility—with two years left to play, he represents not just a short-term fix but a potential cornerstone piece around whom the Longhorns could build their offense for multiple seasons. This longer-term outlook adds significant value to any potential investment in bringing him to Austin, though his exceptional talent may ultimately make it difficult to keep him from entering the NFL draft before exhausting his college eligibility. Nevertheless, the opportunity to establish a consistent ground game with a back of Baugh’s caliber would provide balance to an offense that already features exciting passing game elements, potentially creating one of the most complete attacks in college football.
While attracting a player of Baugh’s stature would undoubtedly require substantial financial commitment through the modern NIL framework, the potential return on investment could be immeasurable if it helps deliver a national championship to Texas. As college football continues to evolve with increasingly free player movement and more open financial incentives, programs like Texas must adapt by being aggressive in pursuing elite talent through all available channels. The running back situation exemplifies the challenges of modern college football roster management—losses can come suddenly and in bunches, but opportunities to reload with potentially even better talent are equally present. For the Longhorns, addressing the running back position effectively could be the difference between merely competing and truly contending in the upcoming season, making this a storyline worth watching closely as the offseason progresses.
