‘Veteran’ Jaydon Blue Leading the Way for the Future of Texas RBs.
Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue has risen to the occasion when his team needed him the most, now shining as the leading ball-carrier for the top-ranked team in the nation. The Longhorns’ running back unit has established itself as one of the best in college football in recent years.
Although Blue wasn’t expected to start this season, an injury to sophomore running back CJ Baxter opened the door for him to take on the RB1 role. After missing the game against UTSA due to injury, Blue quickly returned to form, rushing for 124 yards on 25 carries, scoring three touchdowns, and adding a receiving touchdown in Saturday’s 51-3 victory over Louisiana-Monroe.
This performance marked a career high for Blue, who is eager to maintain his momentum. At the start of the season, there were concerns about his ability to run between the tackles, but he silenced his critics against ULM.
Now, Blue leads one of the most respected running back rooms in recent history. As a freshman, he played behind Bijan Robinson, now with the Atlanta Falcons, and Roschon Johnson, now with the Chicago Bears. Last year, he learned from current Carolina Panthers rookie Jonathon Brooks and is now the most experienced returning running back.
“I’m the oldest guy in that room,” Blue stated. “I try to lead by example and support the younger players, showing them the right way to do things.”
Blue excelled against a weaker ULM team but also demonstrated his rushing skills against Michigan, known for its elite run defense. In Texas’ win over Michigan, he scored a touchdown before leaving with an ankle injury.
As conference play approaches, Blue will be working alongside either Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning as the Longhorns prepare for their SEC debut next week. Mississippi State has a struggling run defense, ranked 123rd by the NCAA, allowing over 216 yards per game on the ground.
For Texas to thrive in the SEC, head coach Steve Sarkisian will need to keep utilizing Blue and focusing on the running game, which has been a hallmark of the program under Sarkisian.
What sets Blue apart as a leader is his humility; he doesn’t get caught up in personal accolades. A true team player, he expressed happiness for his fellow running backs’ success against the Warhawks. When reflecting on his standout performance, he emphasized the team effort.
“Just the team win,” Blue said. “We got to play a lot of guys again, including five different running backs.”
While Blue leads the running back room, he recognizes the importance of depth at the position. After Baxter’s injury raised doubts about the unit’s strength, Blue has proven the naysayers wrong.
As SEC play begins, it’s crucial for Blue to stay healthy and continue performing at a high level.
