The Texas Longhorns come into the 2024 season as one of the favorites for the national championship. After losing in the semifinals last year to the Washington Huskies, the program is hungry to get back. One of the reasons many analysts favor the Longhorns is their offense led by Quinn Ewers. However, their backfield is starting to look a little thin after true freshman Christian Clark suffered a season-ending injury.
Texas Longhorns Lose RB Christian Clark
This is the second running back the Texas Longhorns have lost for the season this week. CJ Baxter, who was last year’s opening-game starter, will undergo season-ending knee surgery. For Christian Clark, it is an Achilles tear that will keep him off the field in 2024. The newcomer to the SEC only has three running backs on scholarship. After practice on Tuesday, Ewers talked about the injuries to the backfield.
“It definitely hurts to see that go down. Injuries do happen. It’s just a part of the game we play. I think [running backs coach Tashard] Choice and Coach Sark do a good job of recruiting good running backs that can ultimately fill in the position if needed. … I think we have guys that are going to be more than capable of stepping in and filling up those roles.”
One of the players who was highly recruited is freshman Jerrick Gibson. ESPN ranked him as the number 2 overall running back and 59th overall in the ESPN 300. He will battle for the spot with Jaydon Blue and Quintrevion Wisner. Don’t count out head coach Steve Sarkisian using his quarterback in the run game, either. He used him last year and Ewers displayed good athletic ability.
2024 Outlook After Injuries
The Texas Longhorns now face an SEC schedule. However, even before conference play, they have a tough opponent to deal with. In the second week of the season, they have to travel to the Big House to take on the defending national champions, the Michigan Wolverines. While this team is not as scary as last year, winning in Ann Arbor is no easy task.
Once conference play starts, they have Oklahoma and Georgia in back-to-back weeks. They do get Florida at home but then have to travel to College Station in the final week of the season. Because the injuries happened at this point of the season, the Texas Longhorns have plenty of time to get their new backfield acclimated. However, it will be interesting to see if there are some growing pains early in the season, and it causes them to stumble in the first few weeks.
For More Great Content
Are you desiring top-tier content that covers everything? From thrilling sports and intoxicating entertainment news to gaming tips and professional betting advice, Total Apex covers it all. Delve into our no-fluff articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the latest scoops in the gaming industry that will take your experiences to the next level.
Finally, our betting advice will give you a decisive edge over the competition and increase your odds of beating the books. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, Total Apex is your one-stop shop for all things compelling and relevant. Don’t forget we cover Fantasy Sports, too!
Check out all our sites: Total Apex Sports, Total Apex Fantasy Sports, Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Gaming. Out of the ashes of obscurity will rise a beast. Always remember to Respect The Hustle! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.
