Departing RB opens the door for Texas to land a premier back. The Longhorns are hunting for a star to dominate the 2026 backfield.
The Texas Longhorns took one of their most significant portal hits of the offseason just after Christmas, as running back Quintrevion Wisner announced his decision to enter the transfer portal after three seasons in Austin.
And while Wisner's departure stings on the surface, it may be the clearest signal yet that Texas is preparing to swing big at running back for 2026.
Wisner wasn't just another depth piece.
After contributing on special teams as a true freshman, he broke out with a 1,000-yard season in 2024 and followed it up by leading the Longhorns in rushing again this year.
He delivered in key moments, showed durability, and was one of the few constants in a backfield that churned throughout the season.
Now, that room is wide open.
Texas fans immediately jumped to one name ... Florida running back Jadan Baugh. The connection is obvious. Texas recently hired former Florida running backs coach Jabbar Juluke, and Wisner's exit only fuels speculation that the Longhorns are clearing the runway for a headline addition.
Baugh has not yet entered the portal, but if he does, Texas would instantly be one of the most logical, and dangerous, landing spots.
Baugh isn't the only option, though.
The portal already features intriguing names like Hollywood Smothers (NC State), Cam Cook (Jacksonville State), and Adam Mohammed (Washington)—backs who could step in and contribute immediately.
Still, if Texas is going to replace Wisner's production, the staff won't be shopping modestly. This is a roster built to compete for championships, and the running back room now reflects that urgency.
Even before Wisner's decision, Texas was almost certainly headed toward the portal. The departures of CJ Baxter, Rickey Stewart Jr., and Jerrick Gibson left the position thin and undefined. Wisner leaving simply removes the last proven anchor.
As things stand, Texas' 2026 running back room includes James Simon, Michael Terry III, and Christian Clark, with freshmen Derrek Cooper and Jett Walker set to arrive early.
Clark and Simon have shown flashes. Clark finished the regular season with 131 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Simon had a promising outing against UTEP, but neither profiles as a clear RB1 for a playoff-caliber team.
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That reality makes the next move obvious.
Wisner's exit isn’t just a loss, it's a declaration. Texas is about to reload, not rebuild, at running back, and the portal is where the next lead back will be found.