What does transfer Velton Gardner bring to Texas’ RB room?

With only a few days left until the Texas football team’s first home game against Colorado State, the Longhorns have made a last-minute signing: Velton Gardner, a fifth-year running back and former Kansas Jayhawk and SMU Mustang.

The Longhorns’ running backs have been plagued by injuries, as both sophomore CJ Baxter and freshman Christian Clark suffered season-ending injuries. These two players were expected to have a big impact on the Longhorns’ backfield this season. Signing Gardner from the transfer portal brings valuable experience and speed to the team.

In the late morning hours of August 21, it was announced via social media that Gardner would play his final year of college at Texas.

In 2019, coming out of Skyline High School in Dallas, Texas, Gardner was ranked as the 40th best athlete and the 83rd prospect in the state. He committed to the 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 collected 13 catches for 44 receiving yards.

In 2022, Velton transferred to SMU and had a strong season, rushing 70 times for 368 rushing yards (5.3 yards per carry) and one touchdown in eight games with one start. He built on that performance the following year, rushing for 137 yards and one touchdown on 23 carries (6.0 yards per carry).

The Horns lost three scholarship running backs: junior Jayden Blue, sophomore Quintrevion Wisner and freshman Jerrick Gibson, but coaches Sark and Tashard Choice brought Gardner into the running back lineup.

Gardner brings valuable experience and solid production as a rotational running back. During his career with the Kansas Jayhawks and SMU Mustangs, he rushed for 1,024 yards and six touchdowns on 229 carries. While his numbers may not be suitable for the starting lineup, Gardner will provide quality depth and fresh legs as a complementary ball carrier. Having an experienced senior as a mentor for the young running backs could be very useful.

The running backs all have one thing in common – the potential for speed and the ability to make big plays, including Gardner. In his college career, excluding the 2019 season, Gardener has averaged over four yards per carry and demonstrated excellent ball security without ever losing the ball.

Not only does he bring a little more speed to the roster, but he also has over 100 runs in zone runs, which Coach Sark likes to use in his offense. Even though Gardner won’t be the starting running back, he will still have a role on the team. Expect him to contribute as a complementary running back and play on Saturdays throughout the season.