Is Longhorns Running Back Jaydon Blue The Next Jahmyr Gibbs?

Texas Longhorns Running Backs coach Tashard Choice believes that Jaydon Blue is not only similar to Detroit Lions and former Alabama Crimson Tide star Jahmyr Gibbs but has a chance to be better.

The Texas Longhorns might have lost their No. 1 running back Jonathon Brooks to the NFL Draft, but sitting behind him is the dynamic tandem of C.J. Baxter and Jaydon Blue that led the team down the stretch of the season and into the College Football Playoffs.

Blue in particular took a massive step forward in the absence of Brooks, becoming arguably one of the team's most explosive players. 

Over that stretch, Blue rushed 35 times for 231 yards and two scores, while catching 13 passes for 128 yards and another touchdown - including 104 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in the College Football Playoff semi-final vs. Washington.

And while many were surprised by the sudden outburst from Blue down the stretch, Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice was not, comparing him to one of the brightest young stars in the NFL in a recent interview with 247 Sports.

USA TODAY

“Speed-wise, he is very similar to Jahmyr Gibbs because he's fast, and he can catch the ball out of the backfield," Choice told Horns 247. "But he's different from the simple fact that Blue is a very cerebral, smart football player. And so if I had to compare anybody to his body type it'd be Gibbs. They'll look a little different in how they play the game, but the more Blue matures, has a chance to be better.”

If anyone knows Gibbs, it is choice, recruited and helped sign the now Detroit Lions standout during his time with Georgia Tech. And while with the Yellow Jackets, Choice helped mold Gibbs into one of the most explosive playmakers in the ACC. 

He then moved on to Alabama, where he became one of the top running backs in the SEC. He eventually parlayed that success into being selected with the No. 12 overall pick in last year's NFL Draft by the Lions, where he made a Pro Bowl after an electric rookie campaign.

Is Steve Sarkisian The Best Coach In CFB?

Now, Choice sees the same in Blue, who will enter 2024 as one-half of arguably the nation's best running back duo alongside Baxter - something similar to what Gibbs did with Jase McClellan during his one season at Alabama. 

"He wants the ball in his hands like all great running backs," Choice told 247. "He's very fast, and he's getting more and more confident. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. He puts stress on defenses. That's really good. And so I'm really pleased at where he's at, because he works his tail off man. He's listening. He's coachable."

Blue and the Longhorns will hit the field again at the end of spring football in April in the annual Orange-White Game at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.