Texas Longhorns RB’s Sudden Exit After Minimal Play Sparks Speculation and Shock Among Fans

Jerrick Gibson, the sophomore running back from Gainesville, FL, has officially stepped away from the Texas Longhorns football program — and honestly, it’s been a tough watch. His touches have sharply declined this season, hitting a low point last Saturday against Oklahoma, where he managed just a single carry for negative yardage. Gibson’s potential was clear during his freshman year with 377 rushing yards and four touchdowns, but the crowded backfield — featuring Tre Wisner’s return, rising talents like James Simon and Christian Clark, plus CJ Baxter coming off injury — left him fighting for scraps. Add in his ongoing fumbling issues, which unfortunately haunted his playing time even after early-season hopes for improvement, and the writing was on the wall. The once-promising IMG Academy recruit, deeply tied to former running backs coach Tashard Choice, now finds himself without a champion on staff and poised to enter the transfer portal, seeking a fresh start elsewhere. LEARN MORE

Sophomore running back Jerrick Gibson has left the Texas Football program. The Gainesville, FL native saw his snaps dwindle, culminating last Saturday against Oklahoma when he had just one carry for -3 yards.

Gibson had rushed for 152 yards and one touchdown on 37 carries so far this season. He had a very promising freshman season, where he ran for 377 yards on 78 carries with four touchdowns.

But with Tre Wisner back to full strength and looking dangerous, James Simon and Christian Clark emerging as options and the return from injury of CJ Baxter, Gibson was getting squeezed out on the running back depth chart.

It was telling he only had one carry last weekend in the Cotton Bowl when CJ Baxter was out. If he couldn’t get on the field without Baxter available, how would he fare with Baxter back?

The IMG Academy product was a key part of the 2024 recruiting class and was a huge priority for former Texas Longhorns running back coach Tashard Choice. But with Choice gone, Gibson lost an advocate on the coaching staff.

His fumbling problems are the biggest reason for his diminishing playing time. Gibson fumbled three times last season, which is a lot considering his workload. If there was a hope the issue was fixed in 2025, that was dashed when Gibson fumbled in Week 2 against San Jose State. That is when his snaps went into a sudden decline.

Gibson plans on entering the transfer portal.