Texas Longhorns decimated at running back: Could we see Arch Manning play more as a result?
CJ Baxter and now Christian Clark have been lost for the season.
The Texas Longhorns can’t seem to catch a break at the moment. With the 2024 season opener against Colorado State just over two weeks away and a huge game against defending champion Michigan the week after, the team needs to be healthy for the start of the year. But that simply isn’t happening for them.
Last week, CJ Baxter suffered a season-ending knee injury. Baxter started Texas’ opener last season as a true freshman and was primed for a big second season on the ground. Now, they have lost another running back, with Christian Clark going down with a torn Achilles. Clark wasn’t the next man up, but he was a solid recruit and has prototypical size even at such a young age.
Watch Arch Manning’s 75 -yard TD pass in Texas spring game from the best angle
Texas Longhorns might need to pass more in 2024
Jaydon Blue, a junior, is expected to be the starter now. He’ll be backed up by sophomore Quintrevion Wisner. What was a position of strength for Texas has quickly turned into a big question mark. Could it cause them to turn to a more pass-heavy approach?
Quinn Ewers is coming off of a strong season as the starting quarterback, but he didn’t light the nation on fire through the air necessarily. Putting too much on his plate, especially with star wide outs Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell gone, could be risky.
There’s also the option of using Arch Manning more. The backup QB is pining for playing time and fans want to see him. The idea of a potential sub-package role to use Manning’s athleticism more has been thrown around this off season. Head coach Steve Sarkisian knows how to get creative on offense, so we could see some interesting things in 2024.
