It’s hard to believe that this time last year, Quintrevion Wisner was sitting third on the depth chart for the Horns. Now, he walks into this year as the only returning 1,000 yard rusher in the SEC. He comes into this season as the RB1 on this team, but CJ Baxter is back from injury and plans to factor in plenty to the run game. How does that impact Wisner’s role and how will he improve going into year two?
2024 Stats: 226 carries, 1,064 yards, 5 TDs; 311 receiving yards, 1 TD
Wisner was one of the biggest reasons Texas was able to find their way to the CFP Semifinals last year. A team coming into the season wondering if they were going to be able to run the ball at all found their workhorse quickly. He went over 100 yards in the Oklahoma, Kentucky, Texas A&M and Clemson in 2024 and kept the Texas run game moving largely.
Heading into 2025, you will find him on a number of major award watchlists, including the Maxwell and Doak Walker. He is no longer the unknown 3-star. He is the leader of that room and a leader of this team as a whole. The biggest shift coming this year is the highly anticipated return of CJ Baxter.
Baxter has been a huge topic of conversation this offseason after a remarkable freshman year in 2023 before the season-ending injury in 2024 fall camp. Baxter seems to be healthy heading into camp, but there will still be some easing back in once the season starts. That leaves Wisner in an interesting spot heading into this year. His role in the offense could change drastically throughout the year.
Sarkisian and company feel very confident in Baxter’s ability to get back fast, but it will be Wisner leading the way to start the season. Then, the introduction of Baxter will be a continuing narrative throughout the first month of the season. The great news for Texas is Wisner is one of the culture catalysts for this team, and he will handle this incredibly, in my opinion.
Tre Wisner’s physical ability is undeniable. His effort and heart is what separates him from most people and why he took over the RB1 job last year. He’s going to give you great football, and maybe more importantly, he and CJ Baxter’s relationship will be solid as ever.
When I look at Wisner in 2025, I see a guy that will likely take a step back on the stat sheet to a degree, but it’ll be because the run game doesn’t always fall solely on his shoulders. Speaking of the guy that will take some of that weight away, tomorrow we are going to jump into CJ Baxter and his return to the field after a torn ACL a year ago. One of the biggest stories of 2025 for the Horns, and we will get into it next time on the countdown to kickoff.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Wisner’s Second Act
Reporting by Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire / Longhorns Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
