Texas running back CJ Baxter plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according On3’s Pete Nakos.
This is a significant blow to the Longhorns’ backfield depth. A former five-star recruit from Edgewater High School in Orlando, Baxter arrived in Austin as one of the top prospects in the 2023 class and delivered early returns with 659 rushing yards and five touchdowns as a true freshman.
However, injuries derailed his development. A knee injury sidelined him for the entire 2024 season, and his 2025 campaign never fully took hold. Baxter finished this year with 196 rushing yards and no touchdowns, unable to reclaim the feature role many envisioned for him.
In total, Baxter played in 21 games for Texas, rushing for 855 yards and four scores while adding 197 receiving yards. His departure leaves Texas with four running backs as Steve Sarkisian continues reshaping the roster ahead of 2026.
Baxter will be one of the top names in January's portal cycle. He'll have two years remaining at his next stop.
More college football news:
- Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
- Virginia Tech reportedly funding roster near top of ACC for James Franklin
- Leaked NSFW audio exposes Penn State AD Pat Kraft’s identity crisis in Happy Valley
- Diego Pavia asks Donald Trump to fix the College Football Playoff