In a significant development for the Texas Longhorns football program, sophomore running back Jerrick Gibson has officially departed the team, as confirmed by multiple sources. This decision comes just days after Texas secured a commanding 23-6 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Red River Rivalry. Gibson’s exit marks a pivotal moment in the Longhorns’ running back rotation and raises questions about the team’s depth and future prospects at the position.
Gibson, a highly touted four-star recruit from IMG Academy in Florida, joined the Longhorns as part of the 2024 recruiting class. In his freshman season, he showcased his potential by rushing for 377 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. His performance earned him significant playing time and the expectation of a bright future in Austin. However, his sophomore campaign has been marked by reduced involvement in the offense. Through the first five games of the 2025 season, Gibson recorded 152 rushing yards and one touchdown on 37 carries. Despite the team’s struggles with injuries in the running back corps, Gibson’s role diminished as the season progressed.
Several factors contributed to Gibson’s decreased playing time. The emergence of other running backs, such as Christian Clark and James Simon, provided the coaching staff with additional options in the backfield. Additionally, concerns over Gibson’s ball security, highlighted by multiple fumbles earlier in the season, may have influenced coaching decisions. Head coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledged the need for backs who excel in pass protection and receiving roles, areas where Gibson reportedly faced challenges.
Gibson’s departure follows a pattern observed in recent weeks. In the team’s victory over Oklahoma, Gibson had limited involvement, recording just one carry for a loss of three yards. This lack of utilization, combined with the team’s depth at the position, likely led to his decision to seek opportunities elsewhere. By leaving the program after appearing in only four games, Gibson preserves his redshirt eligibility, allowing him to transfer to another program and retain three years of eligibility.
The timing of Gibson’s exit raises questions about the stability of the Longhorns’ running back situation. With CJ Baxter and Quintrevion Wisner both sidelined due to injuries, the team faces challenges in maintaining a consistent and effective rushing attack. The remaining healthy backs—Clark, Simon, and the recently returned Wisner—will need to step up to fill the void left by Gibson’s departure.
Looking ahead, the Longhorns will need to adapt their offensive strategy to account for the changes in the running back rotation. The coaching staff will likely explore different combinations and formations to maximize the strengths of the remaining backs. Additionally, the team may look to bolster the position through recruiting or the transfer portal to ensure depth and competition moving forward.
