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Texas Longhorns RB Jaydon Blue Hopes 'To Be Gone' to NFL Draft Next Season
Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue is hoping the 2024 season will earn him some NFL looks.
AUSTIN -- College and pro athletes routinely stress that it's best not to get too far ahead of yourself and to stay present, but Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue is showing he's mentally mature enough to do a balancing act with the present and future.
Blue was asked Thursday when speaking to the media if the 2024 season is a "contract year" for him. While most players might brush off the question and instead say that their only focus is on the season ahead, Blue was candid when revealing the NFL future he envisions for himself.
Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
“The plan is to be gone after this year,” Blue said. “However the year goes, we’ll see, but hopefully I’ll be gone after this year.”
Texas fans should be wary of accidentally taking these comments out of context, as the statement "hopefully I’ll be gone after this year" could certainly raise some eyebrows as a standalone sentence. But under coach Tashard Choice, Texas running backs have created an NFL-ready standard in Austin, and Blue is understandably wanting to be next in line.
He served as the third running back on the depth chart for most of last season, but the ACL injury to Jonathon Brooks forced Blue and C.J. Baxter into a bigger role. Blue showed flashes of his impressive ability in big-time moments, as he scored touchdowns in the Big 12 title game and College Football Playoff. He finished the 2023 season with 65 carries for 398 yards and three touchdowns while also showing natural pass-catching skills, tallying 14 grabs for 135 yards and another score.
Baxter and Blue are expected to be a one-two punch this upcoming season, but the latter could potentially separate himself as the lead back if how he ended last year was any indication.
Blue and the 2024 Longhorns will play in front of fans for the first time at the Orange-White Spring Game on Saturday, April 20.
