With the Indiana Hoosiers soon preparing for the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, that doesn’t mean they’re neglecting the transfer portal for the future. Recent reports suggest that a former Texas running back is on his way to visit the program.
On Saturday, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that CJ Baxter would visit Bloomington, Indiana, on Saturday evening. After missing his entire 2024 season, Baxter played for the Longhorns this season, but it ended prematurely due to an unfortunate injury months ago.
In September, Baxter was leading Texas with 104 yards on 24 carries, but suffered an injury against UTEP. According to ESPN, Baxter reportedly limped off the field with another injury on the first play of the game in what has been an injury-plagued college career thus far.
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The former 5-star recruit was expected to be a significant part of Texas’s offense, but injuries took a toll. Baxter underwent season-ending surgery in 2024 after tearing the lateral collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right leg that August.
A former five-star recruit, Baxter ranked as the No. 1 running back in the 2023 class, per the 247Sports Composite. He was also the No. 30 recruit in the 2023 ESPN 300 and is now weighing his options, with Cignetti’s program attracting his attention amid their impressive season and CFP run.
The Texas running back’s transfer portal news arrived on Dec. 8, with the portal officially open on Jan. 2 and remaining open until Jan 16.
His 2023 season included earning Big 12 offensive newcomer of the year, as he ran for 659 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He also had 24 receptions for 156 receiving yards that season.
According to On3’s transfer portal rankings, Indiana is currently third overall with 10 transfers in and one transfer out. The team is heading to Miami, Florida, to battle the Hurricanes for the national championship on Jan. 19.
If Baxter joins the Hoosiers, he’ll join a team that no longer has stellar quarterback Fernando Mendoza leading the offense next season. Mendoza is considered by many to be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy and guiding his team to the CFP National Championship Game.
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