The Texas Longhorns kicked off fall camp Wednesday with redshirt sophomore CJ Baxter making his long-awaited return from injury. But while head coach Steve Sarkisian couldn’t contain his excitement about Baxter’s attitude and energy, one analyst is wondering if the talented back will ever be quite the same player he was before tearing his knee.
Can CJ Baxter Return to His Pre-Injury Form This Season?
Texas launched fall camp on Wednesday with all eyes on Baxter’s comeback. After missing the entire 2024-25 season due to an ACL injury suffered almost a year ago, the 6-foot-1, 227-pound running back stormed back onto the field with renewed purpose.
His presence was impossible to ignore, especially for Sarkisian, who quickly noticed the sophomore’s determination during the first practice.
“The attitude that he embraced to come back from that injury, all season long. That dude was on our sideline, was with us at every game, traveled to every game, he was in huddles, he was picking his teammates up,” Sarkisian said.
“He addressed the offense last night in the offensive meeting about the energy that was needed at practice, and the focus they needed to have.”
During the opening day of fall camp, Baxter ripped off several big runs that reminded everyone why he was once considered a breakout star. The third-year running back showed no hesitation in using his legs, attacking holes just like before the injury struck.
However, not everyone’s convinced he’s completely back to his old self. On a recent episode of On Texas Football, analyst Bobby Burton voiced his concern about Baxter’s current fitness level. While the talent remains undisputed, Burton believes it may take considerably longer before Baxter returns to peak form.
“The question I have, after watching him on Day 1 at practice, is that he’s at 80% now. Is he ever going to be back to 100% of what he was? Because he’s still got a little bit of a hitch in the giddy-up,” Burton said.
“So, while we say, ‘It’s coming, he’s getting back on,’ do we know how long it’s going to take for him to get to 100%?”
What Did Baxter Accomplish Before His Injury?
Before the injury sidelined him, Baxter had made serious headlines as a second-team Freshman All-American. The Orlando, Florida product logged 138 carries for 659 yards and five touchdowns during his rookie campaign. This performance ranked 12th all-time among Texas Longhorns freshmen, establishing him as a cornerstone of the program’s future.
Now healthy and eager to reclaim his spot, Baxter rejoins a stacked backfield led by Quintrevion Wisner, the only returning FBS rusher with over 1,000 yards in 2024-25. The depth doesn’t stop there, as redshirt freshman Christian Clark and sophomore Jerrick Gibson add serious firepower to the rotation.
Gibson posted 377 yards and four scores during the 2024-25 season, while Clark, who’s currently sidelined during fall camp, entered college as Rivals’ No. 4 running back and the No. 3 overall recruit in Arizona.
Supporting this dynamic group is a revamped offensive line brimming with potential. Though young, the unit features standout DJ Campbell, who’s already earned a spot on the Outland Trophy watch list for the upcoming season.
Additionally, Trevor Goosby is reportedly in peak condition, Brandon Baker is fighting for the right tackle role, and veterans Neto Umeozulo and Cole Hutson anchor the starting lineup with their experience.
With this combination of talent and upside, Texas’s ground game could emerge as one of the SEC’s breakout stories this season. The question remains whether Baxter can recapture the explosive form that made him such a promising freshman, or if the long road back from injury will require more time than anyone anticipated.
