Tashard Choice’s move to the Detroit Lions caught many at Texas Longhorns off guard, notably running back CJ Baxter.
As soon as the NFL and College Football seasons wrap up, numerous changes occur not just in the rosters but also among the coaching staffs. Recently, it was reported that Tashard Choice is leaving to join the Detroit Lions, a move that Texas Longhorns RB CJ Baxter will feel as they focus on what comes next.
Despite Baxter sadly missing the previous season at Texas because of a severe knee injury, he managed to develop a solid bond with Choice recently. The ex-player of the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills, among others, was the running backs coach for the Longhorns from 2022 to 2024.
In a recent update on his official X (formerly Twitter) account @c4era_, Cedric Baxter expressed a touching sentiment for his ex-coach, indicating that he will miss him moving forward, but he genuinely deserves the advancement in his career.
This one hurt but if anybody deserve it it’s this guy. So appreciative for this guy recruiting, coaching, and mentoring me. Love T Choice #BadBoys4L,” Baxter stated.
Choice’s exit to the NFL is a major setback for Steve Sarkisian’s coaching staff, which will need to bolster that position to maintain the team’s excellence in this area for the next season.
Baxter’s grave injury
CJ Baxter’s joining Texas in 2023 was closely linked to Tashard Choice. During that year, as a freshman, the running back distinguished himself with his performance metrics. Overall, he recorded 138 carries for 659 yards and five touchdowns, in addition to 24 receptions for 156 yards.
Following a significant knee injury last year that compelled him to sit out the whole season, head coach Steve Sarkisian expressed his frustration regarding the situation and the challenging loss it posed for the team.
“I feel bad for the kid,” Sarkisian told the media. “… If we surveyed our team or the top three players on our roster, Cedric Baxter would definitely rank in the top one, two, or three.” While we admire him for the player he is, we admire him even more for the teammate he has become, and our thoughts and prayers are with him. All the doctors encourage us that he will have a very good recovery, and we’ll see him back for next season.
It’s anticipated that in the next season, the RB will seamlessly integrate with the team’s new starting QB, Arch Manning, and aid in revitalizing the offense to strive for a deep playoff run in College Football.