In what is arguably one of the most highly anticipated seasons in recent Texas football history, an enormous burden now rests on the shoulders of running back Jaydon Blue to lead the running game.
With Jonathon Brooks missing from the NFL Draft and sophomore CJ Baxter and freshman Christian Clark out with injuries, Blue is the next candidate for the bell cow back position. But despite the enormous pressure Blue is currently under, he isn’t letting it show.
“I’m OK with that,” Blue said Monday. “Whatever is best for the team. Whether that means I get 20-25 carries a game or I’m more of a receiver guy. I’m just willing to do what’s best for the team.”
When asked if he was prepared to handle the ball up to 30 times per game, Blue replied that it would require him to put in a lot more work than in previous years and that he had gained 12 pounds in the run-up to the season to become stronger and more physical.
“Yes, I do (feel prepared),” Blue said. “I took into account that I had to train a lot harder so that I would have the stamina to be able to carry the ball 20-25 times.”
In his third year with the team, Blue has played in 23 games so far and has appeared in each of the 14 games in 2023. Although on the outside it seemed like Blue was being overshadowed by former running backs, he said he was grateful to have played alongside them because now he has a higher standard to live up to.
“I’m just grateful for where I am now and I’m grateful for the guys that came before me. Bijan, Roschan, JB, Keilan, all those guys, you know, they’ve helped me every year since I’ve been here,” Blue said. “Just seeing how those guys work and how they do things right. Just following their example helped prepare me for a moment like this.”
Blue will make his debut as a starting running back on Saturday. He hopes to have a standout season on his junior team and prove he can be there when his team needs him most. His teammates have complete confidence that he can do just that.
