In a dramatic turn, the Texas Longhorns’ running back room has been emptied as key players enter the transfer portal. Star running back Quintrevion Wisner and promising recruits C.J. Baxter, Jerrick Gibson, and Rickey Stewart Jr. are all leaving.
The combined NIL valuation of these four players tops $1.5 million. Texas is now scrambling to rebuild, with Louisville’s Isaac Brown emerging as a potential game-changer.
This shift isn’t unique—college football programs everywhere seem to be leaning into “Moneyball”-style strategies. Maximizing investments in player talent is the name of the game, and Texas isn’t sitting on its hands.
The Texas Longhorns’ Running Back Exodus
Texas has seen a major shake-up in its running back roster. In just about a week, leading rusher Quintrevion Wisner announced on December 26 that he would enter the NCAA transfer portal.
Wisner’s exit stings, considering his back-to-back seasons leading the team in rushing. Also entering the portal: former five-star C.J. Baxter, four-star Jerrick Gibson, and three-star Rickey Stewart Jr.
NIL Valuation and Financial Implications
On3’s NIL valuation puts the combined value of these four at over $1.5 million. This number reflects their market opportunities and forecasts for the coming year.
Losing that kind of value impacts both the roster and the budget. It’s a tough pill for Texas fans to swallow.
Strategic Rebuilding: Enter Isaac Brown
With the portal open, Texas moved fast to identify replacements. According to On3, the Longhorns are expected to land the No. 1 tailback in the portal, Louisville’s Isaac Brown.
As a freshman, Pro Football Focus ranked Brown the No. 2 running back for 2024. In 2025, he averaged 8.8 yards per rush over nine games, though injuries cut his season short.
Brown’s NIL valuation sits at $866,000, just over half of what the four departing players were worth together. It’s a gamble, but Texas clearly likes his upside.
A “Moneyball” Approach to Roster Building
Texas is leaning into analytics, looking for undervalued players and better ways to allocate resources. The “Moneyball” approach, once a baseball thing, is catching on in college football.
Instead of spreading resources across multiple pretty good backs, they’re betting big on one potential star. Will it pay off? That’s the million-dollar question.
The Influence of NFL Strategies
This roster-building style feels a bit like what the Philadelphia Eagles did when they brought in Saquon Barkley. The Eagles, already loaded, went all-in on a superstar back and ended up with another championship.
Texas is hoping for a similar payoff by investing heavily in top-tier talent. It’s a bold move, but sometimes fortune favors the bold.
Quarterback Confidence and Wide Receiver Upgrades
They’re already set at quarterback, with Arch Manning likely a 2026 Heisman frontrunner. Now, attention shifts to the wide receiver room.
DeAndre Moore and Parker Livingstone have hit the portal, and Auburn’s Cam Coleman—arguably the top wideout in college football—is expected to visit Texas soon. Adding Coleman could cost over $4 million in NIL, but running back spending might actually dip in 2026.
The Future of Running Back Valuation
The NIL landscape raises tough questions about how running backs are valued. If a player doesn’t project as a superstar, what incentive is there to stick around?
Even five-star recruits with big paydays might get nudged out if they don’t meet expectations quickly. Programs want proven performers, not just potential.
Production-Based Business
Coach Steve Sarkisian is all about production. He says the team needs the best roster, both culturally and physically, to win championships year after year.
That mindset means Texas might invest heavily in certain spots now, knowing they can go cheaper later if needed. It’s a business, after all—sometimes a ruthless one.
Comparing College and NFL Trends
This trend isn’t just a college thing. NFL teams have been devaluing running backs too, with only four drafted in the first round over the past four years.
Compare that to 2008, when five backs went in the first round. The position just isn’t what it used to be, at least in the eyes of decision-makers.
The Wild West of NIL and Future Implications
NIL, salary caps, and the lack of compensation regulation have made roster-building a moving target. It’s chaotic, and not everyone will come out on top.
For high school running backs, picking the right program on signing day has never mattered more. The landscape keeps shifting, and who knows where it’ll land next?
Conclusion
The Texas Longhorns are in the middle of a tricky rebuild, especially when it comes to their running back group. They’re leaning into a sort of “Moneyball” mindset, hunting for standout talent like Isaac Brown to keep themselves in the mix.
No one really knows where running back value is headed in college football. It’s all tangled up with what’s happening in the pros and the ever-shifting NIL rules. Schools like Texas? They’ll have to stay on their toes if they want to keep up.
For more detailed insights, you can read the full article on Chron.
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