Steve Sarkisian mindful of keeping Texas RBs healthy

After Jaydon Blue’s knock against the Wolverines, the Longhorns want Ryan Niblett to take a step forward.

AUSTIN, Texas — When Texas Longhorns junior running back Jaydon Blue hobbled to the sideline at Michigan Stadium during the first quarter of Saturday’s win over the Michigan Wolverines, the prospect of losing a third player at the position loomed over proceedings already tilting heavily in favor of the Longhorns.

Blue eventually re-entered the game and his injured right ankle was healthy enough to rip off a 23-yard gain that featured the Klein Cain product hitting Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill with a devastating juke in the open field.

Blue was also healthy enough to take the edge and find the front corner of the end zone on a seven-yard touchdown catch late in the third quarter.

But Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is conscious of the two season-ending injuries at the position and need to keep his running backs healthy through what could be an NFL-length campaign.

“I don’t know if it’ll affect the play calling itself — I just think we definitely need to be mindful of the runners,” Sarkisian said during his Monday press conference.

Sarkisian did express confidence in the backups, sophomore Tre Wisner and freshman Jerrick Gibson. Wisner totaled 10 touches for 49 yards in the game, picking up several crucial third downs and turning in one of Sarkisian’s favorite physical plays of the game when he finished an 18-yard catch on a swing pass by delivering a blow to star Michigan cornerback Will Johnson instead of going out of bounds.

“He turned and took on the defender and really delivered the blow that to me over time, that those are the shots that send messages to our opponents, that this is what the type of team we’re going to play against week in and week out,” Sarkisian said.

Sideline courage is something that Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice preaches regularly.

“I know any time I’m by the sideline before I go out of bounds, I better lean into somebody and give him that hat,” Wisner said on Monday.

At 205 pounds, Gibson is emerging as a go-to option in the red zone — of his 20 carries through two games, nine have come inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, producing 40 yards, three first downs, and two of the team’s four rushing touchdowns.

“Clearly, Jerrick Gibson has done some really nice things for us as a true freshman here,” Sarkisian said.

“The good thing is we know what we have in Tre and Jerrick — they’ve given me enough confidence now in the last two games to know those guys can go play and play at a high level.”

The player that Sarkisian wants to see more from is redshirt freshman running back/wide receiver hybrid Ryan Niblett, who started receiving reps at running back during preseason camp when CJ Baxter and Christian Clark were injured.

“Ryan Niblett’s got to start to step up now at the running back spot to give us what we need there as well,” Sarkisian said.

After playing seven snaps against Colorado State, which ultimately produced three carries for 12 yards, Niblett only played two snaps in the win over Michigan without receiving a touch.

With Texas favored against UTSA by 34.5 points and ULM currently ranked No. 118 nationally in ESPN’s SP+, the Longhorns should have plenty of opportunities to work Niblett into the rotation over the next two games before the crucible of SEC play begins.

“We’ve got enough people and bodies, but we just need to be mindful of the amount of carries each guy’s getting in the flow of the game and what that looks like,” Sarkisian said.