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Velton Gardner, a fifth-year senior running back and former Kansas Jayhawk and SMU Mustang, was added by the Longhorns late on in the evening before their home football opener versus Colorado State.
With both sophomore CJ Baxter and rookie Christian Clark suffering season-ending injuries, the Longhorns’ running back room has been severely impacted by injuries. It was anticipated that these two players would have a big influence on the Longhorns’ backfield this year. Gardner joins the team via the transfer link, bringing with him speed and invaluable experience.
Velton Gardner brings experience to young Texas football RB room It was announced in the late hours of Aug. 21 that Gardner will play his final year of collegiate eligibility at Texas via social media. In 2019, coming out of Skyline High School in Dallas, TX, Gardner was ranked the 40th-best athlete and the 83rd overall prospect in the state. He committed to Kansas Jayhawks, where he played in 19 games, six starts, 127 carries, 519 rushing yards (4.1 yards per carry), and two touchdowns. Gardner also racked up 13 catches for 44 receiving yards.
In 2022, Velton transferred to SMU and had a strong season, recording 70 carries for 368 rushing yards (5.3 yards per carry) and one touchdown in eight games with one start. The following year, he built on that performance, rushing for 137 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries (6.0 yards per carry).
Three running backs on scholarship, Jayden Blue, a junior, Quintrevion Wisner, a sophomore, and Jerrick Gibson, a freshman, were to be stopped by the Horns. Coaches Tashard Choice and Sark, however, added Gardner to the running back room. As a rotational back, Gardner offers significant experience and reliable productivity. In his career, he ran for 1,024 yards and six touchdowns on 229 carries while playing for the Kansas Jayhawks and SMU Mustangs. Gardner is a complementing ball carrier who will add solid depth and fresh legs, even though his numbers might not be starter-caliber. It could be very helpful for the young running backs to have an experienced upperclassman serve as their mentor.
The small things you do well are what really count. All of the running backs, including Gardner, have the ability to run quickly and make big plays. With the exception of the 2019 campaign, Gardener has averaged over four yards per rush throughout his collegiate career. He has also shown exceptional ball security, never misplacing the ball. In addition to adding some more speed to the lineup, he has over 100 zone run carries, a tactic Coach Sark loves to use in his attack. Gardner will still be useful to the club even though he might not be the starting running back. Throughout the season, watch for him to make plays on Saturdays as a supplementary back.
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