Kentucky earns commitment from former 5-star running back transfer
By David Wasson
Published:
Former Texas running back CJ Baxter Jr. has decided on a new college football home, reportedly choosing to transfer to Kentucky.
On3 reported Sunday that Baxter, who spent three seasons in Austin, committed to new Kentucky coach Will Stein. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Baxter, a former 5-star prospect out of Orlando, burst on the scene in 2023 for Texas – rushing for 659 yards on 138 carries and five touchdowns and earning honorable mention Big 12 honors. He missed the entire 2024 campaign after tearing the lateral collateral and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right leg during practice in August and had to undergo season-ending surgery.
Baxter was hurt again to start 2025, limping off the field with a hamstring injury on the first play of the game against UTEP in the season opener. That injury plagued Baxter throughout the season, and he carried the ball just 54 times for 196 yards in eight games.
Baxter is one of 23 outgoing transfers for Texas and is one of 21 incoming Wildcats for the 2026 cycle – joining former Oklahoma running back Jovantae Barnes.
Texas went 10-3 in 2025, losing to then-No. 3 Ohio State, unranked Florida and then-No. 5 Georgia to miss out on the College Football Playoff. The Longhorns dominated Michigan 41-27 in the Citrus Bowl. Kentucky went 5-7 and hired Stein to replace veteran coach Mark Stoops.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
