DEAL DONE: Texas confirm another 3 emergency transfer deal
The depth at running back in Texas football a few weeks into preseason camp has led the coaching staff to explore other position groups for additional players to bolster the backfield. With only three scholarship running backs remaining about halfway through fall practice, some walk-ons have begun taking more reps in team drills.
Where could Texas football look for an emergency running back in the portal, if necessary, this fall?
Texas and head coach Steve Sarkisian have faced a major setback in preseason camp, losing two scholarship running backs to season-ending lower-body injuries in the past 10 days. Sophomore CJ Baxter Jr. tore his PCL and LCL during full-contact drills last week, sidelining him for the 2024 season.
Earlier this week, true freshman Christian Clark also suffered a season-ending injury, tearing his Achilles in a non-contact play during team drills.
With the running back depth in dire straits, Texas has started experimenting with players from other positions. Senior tight end Juan Davis and redshirt freshman wide receiver Ryan Niblett have both taken more reps in the backfield during practice this week.
Additionally, Inside Texas’s Paul Wadlington and Ian Boyd suggested that Texas might need to explore “off-roster” options from the transfer portal to add another emergency running back for the fall.
Here are three potential transfer running backs still available in the portal that Texas could consider.
Sqwirl Williams
Former school: Louisiana Tech
A name that Longhorns fans might remember from Texas’s Big 12 matchups with Baylor is former Bears running back Sqwirl Williams. After transferring from Baylor last offseason, Williams spent the 2023 season on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs roster in Conference USA, though he did not see any game action.
Williams played his first five collegiate years at Baylor (2018-2022). During his four active seasons with the Bears, he amassed 804 rushing yards, 80 receiving yards, six yards per carry, and eight total touchdowns.
In 2022, he was Baylor’s second-leading rusher under head coach Dave Aranda, tallying over 500 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and one receiving touchdown.
Standing at 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, Williams is an undersized running back that the Longhorns might consider pursuing in the transfer portal. Despite his size, he is known for his speed, quickness, and reliable hands out of the backfield.
Among the running backs still available in the portal this late in the offseason and during fall camp, Williams stands out as one of the more proven options with experience playing against Texas’s defense and competing at the Power 5 level.
Demarkcus Bowman
Former school: UCF
Demarkcus Bowman, a former elite five-star running back recruit from the 2020 class out of Lakeland, FL, is in the transfer portal for the third time this offseason. Bowman initially committed to head coach Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers during the 2020 offseason.
After spending one season at Clemson, Bowman transferred to the Florida Gators ahead of the 2021 season. He made his third move before the 2023 season, joining head coach Gus Malzahn and the UCF Knights, where he played for one year in the Big 12 (although he never faced the Longhorns).
Bowman could be a logical target for the Longhorns if they decide to add another running back from the portal in the coming weeks. He is a highly talented back who can effectively run between the tackles or bounce outside for bigger plays. Although Bowman has yet to reach his full potential, his physical tools suggest he could become an elite college running back.
There’s also a connection between Bowman and the Longhorns from his recruitment out of high school. Texas special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Jeff Banks and head coach Steve Sarkisian, who were both at Alabama at the time, were among the top recruiters pursuing Bowman for the Crimson Tide in the 2020 class.
Isaiah Newell
Former school: Oregon State
Redshirt junior Isaiah Newell was one of several Oregon State Beavers running backs with live-game experience who entered the transfer portal during the spring window this offseason. Among the notable departures, star junior Damien Martinez transferred to the Miami Hurricanes to play under head coach Mario Cristobal for the 2024 season.
Newell, another running back with multiple years of live-game experience, remains available in the portal as the 2024 season approaches. Ranked as a top-40 transfer running back by the 247Sports Composite this offseason, he might be the top-ranked available back still in the portal this fall.
Newell is particularly remembered for his performance in Oregon State’s upset victory over the Oregon Ducks during the 2022 season. In that game, he scored two crucial rushing touchdowns, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter, securing a 38-34 win for the Beavers.
From a physical and experience standpoint, Newell would fit many of the qualities Texas might seek in an emergency running back transfer this fall. Standing at 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, he is a powerful back who excels at running downhill between the tackles and isn’t afraid of contact.
Newell also possesses the important ability to lower his shoulder pads and fight for extra yards after contact, making him valuable in short-yardage situations around the chains and at the goal line.