Sad News For Longhorns As Star Player Will Now Join Rival Team For A….

During his introduction into the Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian reflected on his coaching mentors that helped elevate him to today.

In particular, Sarkisian mentioned Pete Carroll, who Sarkisian worked with during his time at USC, and Nick Saban, who Sarkisian worked with at Alabama before taking the Texas job.

“Without those two men, I wouldn’t be here today as the head coach of the University of Texas,” Sarkisian said, according to On3. “I’m very grateful, thankful, humbled, honored — all of those things to have spoke to them both that day.

Sarkisian added, “And I was celebrating them, I was congratulating them, quite frankly, on just a tremendous career that both of them have had. The impact that they’ve had on our game. Not only at the collegiate level but at the professional level.”

Why did CJ Baxter commit to the Texas Longhorns? Surprisingly, it had nothing to do with Steve Sarkisian, the offensive game plan of the history of the Forty Acres. In a recent interview with the 3rd & Longhorn Podcast, Baxter said running backs coach Tashard Choice was the selling point to come to Austin. After watching the success of Doak Walker Award winner Bijan Robinson and stable No. 2 option Roschon Johnson, the decision became clear that learning under the veteran coach would benefit his career.

“We know what he does coaching wise on the field but my biggest thing with him was off the field,” Baxter said. “When I talk to him, just in general he’s a great dude. He’s very genuine.”

Choice, who joined the Longhorns staff from Georgia Tech, had a history of producing potent runners. Prior to his arrival at Alabama, Jahmyr Gibbs was coming off back-to-back seasons where he averaged 5.2 yards per carry. Baxter, a native of Orlando, Fla., bulked and flourished over summer workouts and in fall camp. He became the first running back since Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams in 1995 to start as a true freshman in the first game of the season. Redshirt sophomore Jonathon Brooks eventually surpassed both Baxter and Jaydon Blue by Week 3, and went on to rush for 1,139 yards and 10 TDs before suffering a torn ACL against TCU in mid-November. With Brooks sidelined, Baxter was thrust back into the start role and produced, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt.

Baxter credited Choice’s guidance for his success and considered him closer to a family member than a coach. “Outside of my Dad and Grandad, he’s probably the third-most important person in my life man-wise,” said Baxter. “He’s the whole reason I came here.” Brooks is off to the NFL and the Longhorns are off to the SEC. Baxter was expected to be a rotational back in Year 1, but ended up bolstering his stat line while becoming a fixture for Sarkisian’s play design.

Texas continues to pump out tailbacks set for the NFL. Baxter, who isn’t eligible to declare until 2026, might be the first-round option for teams looking for more consistency on the ground. Baxter doesn’t regret the choice to partner with Choice, and the Longhorns are profiting off the success entering a new era of football at Royal-Memorial Stadium.