Following a 2017 campaign in which the Texas Longhorns running back room often produced next to nothing, Tom Herman and his staff turned their attention towards the graduate transfer market in search of some immediate help, and potentially, a starting-caliber ball carrier. On May 6, Texas received an answer to both ends in the form of Tre Watson, a grad transfer out of Cal who was set to enjoy a fifth and final season after missing all but a few quarters of the 2017 slate with an ACL injury.
In hindsight, Watson largely satisfied the role the Longhorns were looking for.