Later this month, the University of Texas will kick off its football season on Aug. 31 against Colorado State University. Unfortunately, for the offense, it will be taking the field without one of their biggest weapons.
According to reports, sophomore running back CJ Baxter has been lost for the 2024 season after suffering an LCL and PCL tear in his right knee that will require surgery.
Sources: Texas sophomore tailback CJ Baxter injured the LCL and PCL in his right knee and will require surgery. He will miss the 2024 season after suffering the injury in camp on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/WOyIn8ZZyX
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 7, 2024
Last year, Jonathan Brooks was the team’s leading rusher with 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns, but he was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers. However, even then, Baxter was making an impact on the team.
As a true freshman, Baxter accumulated 659 yards and five touchdowns, which set him up to have an even more impressive season as the true No. 1 running back on the depth chart in 2024.
Now, the team will have to rely on returning junior Jaydon Blue, who averaged just 30.6 rushing yards a game in 2023.
It’s a huge blow for a Texas team competing in a tough Southern Eastern Conference for the first year after being in the Big 12 since 1996.
Texas Longhorns Get Ready For First Year In The SEC Without CJ Baxter
The college football world was completely shaken when it was announced that the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma would both be leaving the Big 12 and moving to the Southern Eastern Conference.
While they are two high-level schools when it comes to football, there are serious questions as to whether they will see the same conference success now that they have to face teams like the Georgia Bulldogs, Alabama Crimson Tide, LSU Tigers, and even the Tennessee Volunteers.
Of course, though, it’s not a question that can be answered anywhere else other than on the football field.
