Texas Longhorns Pick Up Transfer RB Velton Gardner

© Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

With a need for depth at running back, the Texas Longhorns welcomed graduate transfer Velton Gardner to the team. Gardner previously played for Kansas and SMU and made the announcement via Instagram on on Aug. 21 that he would be playing for Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.

This is definitely good news for an offense that will be led by quarterback Quinn Ewers. CJ Baxter, who had the inside track to start at running back, and Christian Clark, suffered season-ending injuries in fall practices.

Jaydon Blue probably will be slotted into a more permanent backfield role. Yet there’s no doubt Gardner, who has experience motoring through NCAA defenses, will be a welcome addition.

Texas Welcomes Transfer

Gardner, who transferred to SMU from Kansas, has career totals of 1,024 yards and 6 touchdowns rushing. He was part of the Mustangs’ offense for 18 games, rushing for 505 yards and 2 touchdowns in his time in Dallas.

Sarkisian said he’d look at the Transfer Portal for some backfield help. Gardner entered the Transfer Portal in July, which was five months after he said he’d be doing so.

“We are,” Sarkisian said, according to On3. “We definitely have a spot that we can utilize. Again, a lot of times this late in the game, it’s probably not a traditional transfer, maybe more of a graduate transfer, something of the sort. So we’re looking at all of our options there.”

Baxter tore the LCL/PCL in his right leg. He had been getting high marks from NFL scouts for his playing ability. Baxter totaled 659 yards on 138 carries for 5 touchdowns last season. Clark, a freshman, tore his Achilles and is gone for this year. He was due to possibly share time with Blue at running back.

RB Has FBS Experience

It’s a valuable pickup for Texas at this time as Gardner has played at the FBS level. The Longhorns are entering their first season in the Southeastern Conference.

Texas, which won the Big 12 Conference last season, has high hopes entering the 2024 college football season. The Longhorns lost to Washington 37-31 in the Rose Bowl, part of the College Football Playoff. Getting back there and moving into the national championship conversation is on Sarkisian’s mind.

The Longhorns open their season at home in Austin, Texas, against Colorado State on Aug. 31. After a Week 2 trip to play the Michigan Wolverines, Texas plays two more nonconference teams in UTSA and Louisiana-Monroe. The Longhorns open SEC play at home against Mississippi State on Sept. 28.

Come back to College Football Dawgs for more Texas Longhorns coverage this season.