Texas Freshman RB Rickey Stewart Jr. to Enter Transfer Portal Amid Crowded Backfield
The Texas Longhorns are about to see another shakeup in their running back room. True freshman Rickey Stewart Jr., a former four-star recruit, is planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal next month, adding another layer of complexity to a position group that’s already in flux.
Stewart came to Austin with plenty of hype. Ranked as the No. 29 running back in the 2025 class by 247Sports’ composite rankings, he had his pick of powerhouse programs-Alabama, Michigan, Oregon-but chose Texas. It was a big win for the Longhorns at the time, but now, just a year later, Stewart’s time in burnt orange is coming to a close before it ever really began.
He didn’t see the field during his true freshman season, but that doesn’t mean the talent isn’t there. Stewart put together a monster high school career, racking up over 7,700 rushing yards and 80 touchdowns.
He also flashed some upside as a receiving threat out of the backfield. That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed, and he’s expected to be one of the more intriguing names in this year’s transfer portal cycle.
The timing of Stewart’s departure is significant. With C.J.
Baxter also on his way out, Texas suddenly finds itself with some real questions at running back. And it doesn’t stop there-Quintrevion Wisner could be heading to the NFL Draft, which would thin the depth chart even further.
For a program that prides itself on having a deep, versatile backfield, this is a moment that demands attention.
There’s been buzz around Texas potentially targeting a transfer portal back, and this only adds fuel to that fire. Florida’s Jadan Baugh is one name that’s been floated-should he enter the portal, he’d be a natural fit for a team looking to reload quickly. Whether or not those rumors come to fruition, it’s clear the staff is evaluating its options.
As for Stewart, this move feels less like a surprise and more like the natural result of a competitive room. With 2026 five-star recruit Derrek Cooper set to arrive and James Simon already ahead of him on the depth chart, the path to playing time in Austin was narrowing fast. Sometimes, it’s just about opportunity-players want to play, and Stewart’s looking for a place where he can do exactly that.
Wherever he lands, Stewart brings a strong résumé and plenty of upside. He may not have made his mark at Texas, but his football journey is far from over.