As Jerrick Gibson enters the transfer portal, one college football program could make the most of his skill set
Once a four-star recruit, Gibson struggled with consistency and ball security in Austin—but his power and upside make one college program a natural fit.
Jerrick Gibson’s midseason exit from Texas sent ripples through the college football world. Once a prized four-star recruit with the potential to become an essential piece of Steve Sarkisian’s backfield, Gibson’s sloppy pass protection and difficulty securing the football has led to an underwhelming performance so far this season. The more he struggled, the less touches coach Sarkisian gave him. Underutilized, and with little room for advancement, Gibson decided to redshirt and enter the transfer portal. As Gibson seeks to regain his notoriety, an important question has been raised: who stands to gain from his second act?
Gibson’s Value in the Portal
At 5’11” and 205 pound, the Florida native was one of the most coveted backs in the 2023 class. He displayed enough burst and power to earn early carries at Texas, showing glimpses of the all-around potential that made him a top prospect. But his role faded quickly due to some lackluster performances. Through the first 6 games of the 2025 season, Gibson logged only 37 carries for 1 touchdown.
The talent is there—explosive first step, downhill acceleration, and the kind of lower-body strength that translates to short-yardage success. The problem is simple: he just wasn’t consistent. Even when the Longhorns started leaning more heavily on the run (over 40 carries per game) this season, Gibson still wasn’t getting touches. With concerns about ball security, pass protection, and overall scheme fit, the writing was on the wall.
Why Texas A&M might be the best fit for Jerrick Gibson
So which program could realistically benefit from picking up Gibson from the transfer portal? The best landing spot will be a system that emphasizes development, rotation, and power running—making the Aggies a natural candidate.
Le’Veon Moss has battled an ankle injury, and while Rueben Owens provides finesse, A&M’s offense under Mike Elko could use another between-the-tackles presence. Gibson’s bruising style complements A&M’s existing personnel, and the proximity to home makes it a comfortable transition for the young back.
At his best, Gibson runs with the kind of power and burst that translates on third-and-short—exactly what A&M’s offense thrives on. He’s not just a filler back; he’s a low-risk, high-upside pickup who can compete right away while still being developed for the long haul. The Aggies have the coaching infrastructure to clean up his issues with ball security, pass protection, and route timing. Their downhill, physical scheme could help him rediscover the rhythm he lost in Austin.
The move would also keep Gibson in Texas, easing the transition and positioning him for early NIL opportunities. For a program looking to rebuild depth and reliability in its run game, Gibson (with the proper investment) could check every box.
In the right system, with the proper coaching, Gibson could easily rediscover the power and burst that made him one of the most electrifying high school backs in the country. And make no mistake: whichever team lands him will be betting on potential. In today’s portal-driven era, that’s often how new stars are born.
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