Texas has made a late addition to its 2024 roster at a position of need.

Late Wednesday, veteran running back Velton Gardner announced that he will play for Steve Sarkisian’s squad this fall. Gardner joins the program as a graduate transfer.

Gardner is entering Year 6 of his college football career. He played at Kansas from 2019-21. The 2020 season did not count against his eligibility due to the pandemic conditions. He further extended his eligibility playing in only three games of the 2021 season, allowing him to take a redshirt.

Gardner spent the past two seasons at SMU. In his college career, he has logged 229 rushes for 1,024 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns. He also has 22 career receptions for 73 yards.

Gardner has only twice carried the ball 70 times during a season. In 2020, he logged 72 rushes for 325 yards and 2 scores, his most productive season at Kansas. In 2022, for SMU, he had the most productive season of his career with 70 carries for 368 yards and 1 TD.

Texas addresses its RB depth

Gardner’s addition comes amid a rough August for the Texas running back room. Star running back CJ Baxter was lost for the season with an LCL/PCL tear on Aug. 7. Less than a week later, the program announced Christian Clark would miss 2024 due to a torn Achilles.

The two injuries left the Longhorns with an RB depth chart of depth chart of sophomore Jaydon Blue, sophomore Quintrevion Wisner and true freshman Jerrick Gibson. Program insider Anwar Richardson posted on X that the staff was considering adding another body by moving redshirt freshman receiver Ryan Niblett to running back.

Niblett, though, has remained at receiver and is pushing for playing time. Gardner should provide much more value as a depth piece considering his experience.

Texas opens the season ranked No. 4 in the AP Top 25. The Longhorns host Colorado State in Week 1.