Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Quintrevion Wisner (26) is tackled by Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Jordan Hancock (7) during the third quarter of the College Football Playoff semifinal in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Texas Longhorns RB Quintrevion Wisner Praises Team Leaders Breakout Season

Originally posted on Texas Longhorns on SI
By Emma Hutchinson | Last updated Jan 13, 2025 10:43 AM ET

Texas Longhorns starting sophomore running back Quintrevion Wisner came into the 2024 season with just 73 rushing yards to his name and left with over 1,000.

The DeSoto product finished out his second season with the Texas Longhorns leading the roster with 1,064 yards on 226 attempts, but Wisner said that being at the helm of the run game was a result of following in the footsteps of his teammates.

"I learned how being a great follower could lead to a great leader. I came in last year, and I played a bunch of special teams, and then [came] back this year, definitely took a different role, just being able to not only learn from the older guys on the offensive side, but the defensive side also," Wisner said during postgame interviews following the team's loss to Ohio State on Friday. "Everybody bought in, and they showed me like, you get your chance. It's how you take off with it. It's how you do things, how you upgrade."

Wisner got his opportunity to shine this year after fellow sophomore running back CJ Baxter suffered a season-ending knee injury over the summer and injury complications with first-string Jaydon Blue early on in the season. Needless to say, Wisner stepped up for the Longhorns in a major way, being the third Longhorn during the Steve Sarkisian era to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards.

While it's probable that Wisner will return for Texas, some of the upperclassmen who helped set the standard for him have now made their last appearance wearing the burnt orange.

"It was a blessing to be under guys like Hayden Conner and Jake Majors, you know, being able to run behind guys like that lifted me up in high spirit. So, you know, it's a true blessing. I just learned that, you know, following will lead to a great leader," Wisner said.

Connor and Majors were both fifth-year senior offensive lineman that assisted in clearing out lanes for Wisner, but Connor is now headed to the 2025 NFL Draft, he declared on Sunday.

Aside from those protecting him on the field, Wisner also mentioned how starting junior quarterback Quinn Ewers stood out to him as an influential figure, and said that any future team will be lucky to have him at the helm.

"He's a great leader, great person, great individual overall," Wisner said. "To be able to play around, play beside him at the running back position, wherever he goes, they got a great leader."

Wisner will very likely gain first-string position next season with Blue announcing that he'll declare for the Draft as well, leaving plenty of space for Wisner to continue being an explosive force for the Longhorns run game.

This article first appeared on Texas Longhorns on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: