Why Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian isn't worried about his banged-up RBs
Season-ending injuries to starting running back CJ Baxter and one of his backups, freshman Christian Clark, were the only events during fall camp that dampened the spirits of a Texas football team soaring into Saturday’s season opener with a No. 4 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll.
But Texas football coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t parse his words in Monday’s weekly meeting with reporters when describing how it affects his team’s running game. Even though the 220-pound Baxter and the 210-pound Clark are the biggest running backs on the roster, Sarkisian insisted his offense will remain a power-running bunch that can pound on a defense until it cracks.
“We're going to run it between the tackles,” he said. “They learn how to run (inside) the day they show up here. You learn how to run our style, and then we accentuate that with the perimeter plays and different things with the running back. So, they're going to run between the tackles, and they'll do great.”
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The revamped set of running backs will get its first chance to prove the coach correct Saturday against Colorado State. Jaydon Blue, a 6-foot, 200-pound junior, will start the game and likely get his share of touches, but Sarkisian said he expects to work 5-10, 205-pound true freshman Jerrick Gibson and 6-foot, 200-pound Quintrevion Wisner into the mix early and often.
Gibson impressed throughout fall camp with his ability to run inside despite his light frame while Wisner remains a receiving threat who’s most effective on the outside. Both have shown the ability to break tackles and make defenders miss, said senior linebacker David Gbenda.
“We got some pretty good guys,” he said. “Wisner, he is a little shifty, I'm not going to lie. And Jerrick Gibson, he's done a couple quick moves. He’ll hit you with a little spin move in there.”
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But Sarkisian and running backs coach Tashard Choice didn’t let the running back position remain static after the injuries. Sarkisian's staff cross-trained receiver Ryan Niblett at running back after Clark tore his Achilles tendon midway through camp and signed graduate transfer Velton Gardner from SMU last week to shore up the depth.
“I know everybody keeps wanting to complain about the transfer portal, but I'm one that's going to appreciate that we have it,” Sarkisian said. “We were able to get a free agent here right before the season.”
Neither Niblett nor Gardner weigh more than 190 pounds, but their coaches and teammates say both could make a difference in the backfield.
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In particular, the versatile Niblett looks dangerous. He shined as a dual-threat quarterback at Eisenhower High School in the inner Houston suburb of Aldine before focusing on receiver. Now, he looks like a natural running the ball, said Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.
“I mean, he's a smart kid,” Ewers said. “I think he's always understood each position. I think he's done a good job over the past couple weeks changing it up and getting into running back. He's gotten used to running in between the tackles. I think that's the biggest change, running around all those guys (because) he's used to being around the smaller DBs.”
Regardless of who gets carries Saturday against Colorado State, Blue said the Longhorns will meet the expectations that come with a Sarkisian offense. Texas ran for an average of 199 yards a game during Sarkisian’s first season in Austin in 2021. In each of the past two seasons, the Longhorns have averaged 188 yards rushing a game.
“Every guy in that room, including myself, I feel like coach Choice and coach Sark do a good job of helping us prepare even if anybody goes down,” Blue said. “I think we all help each other in practice and push each other to be great, so if one person goes down, then we don't have a big drop off.”
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas football: Inside the RB plan vs. Colorado State
