Texas RB CJ Baxter, QB Owens Plan to Enter the Transfer Portal

The Texas Longhorns were always expected to face a wave of transfer portal departures this offseason, with several players projected to seek new opportunities heading into the 2026 season. And among the names most likely to move on, Cy-Fair (Cypress, TX) product Trey Owens stood out as a near-certainty and third-year running back CJ Baxter plans to enter the transfer portal.

Baxter leaves Austin after appearing in 21 games, totaling 855 rushing yards and four touchdowns, along with 36 receptions for 197 yards and a score.

Baxter was the No. 1 running back in the 2023 class and part of Texas’ elite No. 3-ranked recruiting class featuring Arch Manning and Anthony Hill Jr. He arrived with huge expectations and even earned the opening-day starting job as a true freshman, finishing that season with 659 yards and five TDs despite battling injuries and sharing the backfield with Jonathon Brooks.

The 2024 season was supposed to be his breakout year, but a season-ending knee injury halted his momentum before the year even started. His 2025 return wasn’t the bounce-back he had hoped for, finishing with just 196 rushing yards.

Baxter now looks for a fresh start as he enters the portal, a talented back with big upside when healthy.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Owens officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, opening the door for the former four-star quarterback to find a clearer path to playing time.

Owens, known for his elite arm talent, originally committed to Texas with hopes of being part of something special in Austin.

The Cy-Fair standout put together an impressive high school career, earning Texas District 17-6A Offensive MVP honors after throwing for 2,057 yards and 34 touchdowns as a junior. He followed that with a stellar senior campaign, completing 222 of 313 passes for 3,303 yards, 43 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, leading his team to an 11–2 record.

But opportunities in Austin were scarce.

Owens spent the 2024 season as the No. 3 quarterback behind Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, before sliding to fourth in 2025 behind Manning, Matthew Caldwell, and KJ Lacey. Over two seasons, he appeared in only two games, completing 2-of-4 passes for 19 yards against UTSA.

For Owens, the decision offers a chance to reboot his collegiate career, likely at a place where he can realistically compete for a starting job. For Texas, it’s the expected cost of a crowded and talented QB room.