Longhorns bolster running back room by adding SMU graduate transfer Velton Gardner

Steve Sarkisian and the Texas Longhorns were dealt several blows to the depth at the running back position in the month of August. Starting running back CJ Baxter tore both his LCL and PCL in practice earlier this month and freshman Christian Clark suffered a torn achilles tendon less than a week later. UT announced both would miss the upcoming football season, thinning the roster depth at the running back position.

Junior Jaydon Blue is expected to be the starter due to the Baxter’s injury. Blue, who has played in 23 games for the Longhorns, has rushed for 431 yards and three touchdowns on 80 carries. Besides Blue, the in-game experience at the position was minimal. Sophmore Tre Wisner is the only other scholarship running back on the current roster to have any in-game carries. Wisner has just 12 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown, but showed a lot of promise in his opportunities to play.

Good news for the Texas program came on Thursday in the form of an announcement from SMU running back Velton Gardner’s Instagram page that he would be joining the Longhorns as a graduate transfer.

The 5-9, 189 lb. Gardner brings experience and maturity to a running back unit that was dangerously thin. He will be a welcome addition to the Longhorn program who will use him immediately. Gardner will have one season of eligibility remaining, which was granted because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.