Vondrell McGee re-aggravating an ankle injury has allowed the son on former Dallas Cowboys great Nate Newton to become Texas’ starting running back.
Redshirt freshman Tre Newton had career-highs in both carries (20) and yards (88) in the Longhorns’ win over Texas Tech, making head coach Mack Brown‘s decision a relatively easy one.
Newton had been in a battle with McGee, Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson for playing time throughout the offseason and into summer camp.
“Cody was leading (in the spring), then pulled a hamstring. Vondrell and Fozzy had outstanding summers,” Brown said. “All of a sudden, Cody moves to the short-yardage goal back, Fozzy sprains his knee and Vondrell hurts his ankle. But we think Tre is deserving.”
Newton is Texas’ leading rusher with 178 yards on the season.