Texas RB expected to enter the transfer portal as Longhorns reshape the backfield
Texas running back Rickey Stewart is expected to enter the transfer portal after not appearing in a game as a freshman. His departure signals a continued reset in the Longhorns’ backfield under Steve Sarkisian.
Freshman running back Rickey Stewart is expected to move on from Texas, signaling another shift in a rapidly changing position room.
According to a Thursday report from Burnt Orange Nation, the freshman running back is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal when the January window opens. Stewart did not appear in a single game during his lone season in Austin, exiting the program amid a broader reset at the position.
Stewart becomes the second Texas running back whose portal intentions have surfaced this offseason, joining redshirt sophomore CJ Baxter. Together, the departures underscore how quickly the Longhorns’ backfield is being reshaped under head coach Steve Sarkisian.
How Rickey Stewart fit into Texas’ plans — and why it never materialized
Stewart arrived at Texas as part of the 2025 recruiting class out of Tyler Chapel Hill, signing as a consensus four-star prospect. The 5-foot-10, 197-pound back ranked No. 419 nationally and No. 29 at his position in the 247Sports Composite.
Originally committed to SMU, Stewart flipped to Texas after receiving an offer from the Longhorns, signing under then running backs coach Tashard Choice. By the time he reached campus, however, the landscape had shifted.
Stewart spent the 2025 season buried at the bottom of the depth chart and never cracked the rotation. Texas leaned on established options, and opportunities for developmental reps never arrived. By season’s end, Stewart remained the last scholarship running back on the roster without a snap.
For a position defined by timing and trust, the window simply never opened.
Coaching turnover accelerates the reset
Stewart’s expected departure comes during a period of transition inside the Texas running backs room.
Chad Scott, who coached Stewart during the season, was dismissed last week as Sarkisian continued reshaping his staff. New assistant Jabbar Juluke has already begun imprinting his vision, including efforts to bring Florida running back Jadan Baugh with him to Austin.
Texas is not trimming around the edges. It is recalibrating the position entirely, prioritizing immediate contributors and re-establishing competition inside a room that is being rebuilt almost from scratch.
What Stewart’s exit means for Texas and what comes next
For Stewart, the transfer portal represents a necessary reset. At another program, the former four-star recruit will have a chance to compete for carries, develop in real time, and find a clearer path to the field.
For Texas, the move reinforces the direction Sarkisian is taking.
The Longhorns are not holding roster spots for long-term projections. They are chasing certainty, depth, and reliability as they position themselves for the next phase of the program. That approach inevitably creates turnover, especially at a position where only a few backs see meaningful snaps.
Stewart’s exit may not register as a headline loss, but it fits a larger pattern. Texas is reshaping its backfield with intent, and anyone without a defined role is being forced to make a decision.
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