Becoming CJ Baxter: Kentucky's Running Back has Mastered the Art of Getting Back Up CJ Baxter, Kentucky’s running back, has spent his life navigating the physical and emotional toll of football, turning setbacks into defining moments. The 2023 freshman All-America standout faced a devastating setback in August 2024 when a hit during practice tore his left lateral collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament, ending his sophomore season before it began. A subsequent hamstring injury limited his play in 2025, but two years after his extensive knee surgery, Baxter is preparing to make his debut for the Wildcats in 2026. “I can’t shy away from it. That’s part of my life, getting hit,” he says, reflecting on the resilience that has become central to his identity. Baxter’s journey is as much about life lessons as it is about football. His ability to recover from injuries mirrors his approach to personal adversity. He carries the memories of two significant losses: his childhood best friend, Keiondre Waters, and his older cousin, Greg Bryant. Waters, a close friend since they were four years old, died in 2023 at age 8, leaving Baxter devastated. “We were like super, super, super close,” he recalls, describing their bond as unbreakable. Waters’ passing, which coincided with his birthday just days before the interview, remains a poignant chapter in Baxter’s life. Bryant, a running back like Baxter, was another figure who shaped his path. A highly-touted recruit from Florida, Bryant played at Notre Dame before transferring to UAB in 2016, becoming a key player during the program’s relaunch. His life was cut short in 2016 when he was shot and killed at 21 years old. Baxter credits Bryant as the reason he chose jersey number 4, a tribute that carries deep significance.#notre_dame #kentucky #cj_baxter #keiondre_waters #greg_bryant
