Former Texas running back Toneil Carter announced that he will transfer to Sam Houston State. Carter took to Twitter to announce that the move was official.

Carter was a big-time recruit out of Houston Langham Creek when he committed to Texas in 2017. He ranked as the No. 162 player in the country and a consensus four-star prospect. Ultimately, he picked Texas over big-time offers from Georgia, Alabama and LSU.

However, Carter struggled to separate himself in a crowded Longhorns running back room. Carter rushed 53 times for 252 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman. However, he fell behind Tre Watson, Keontay Ingram and Daniel Young on the depth chart.

Since he is moving down from FBS to FCS, Carter is eligible to play immediately with three years remaining. Carter will have a chance to contribute right away to a nationally-relevant program at Sam Houston State.

The Bearkats had a rebuilding year in 2018 after losing two-time Walter Payton Award-winning quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe to the NFL. Sam Houston State finished in the top six of the Sports Network FCS poll six times between 2011 and 2017. It finished just 6-5 and missed the playoffs for the first time under K.C. Keeler in 2018.

The Bearkats were significantly worse on the ground last season. Sam Houston State ranked No. 92 nationally out of 124 teams in rushing offense. The program’s 3.28 yards per carry ranked out of the top 100 among FCS programs. That’s a huge disappointment for a program that ranked No. 37 in rushing offense and averaged 5.1 yards per rush just a season earlier.

Running back Kyran Jackson posted 853 yards on 4.8 yards per carry as a sophomore. The next leading rusher was quarterback Ty Brock with 161 yards on 2.0 yards per carry.

Carter rushed for 2,306 yards and 34 touchdowns on 7.8 yards per carry in two seasons at Langham Creek. Moving to Huntsville makes him just 75 miles away from his high school.

Carter isn't the only player with major college experience at Sam Houston State. Nine additional players on SHSU's 2019 roster have played FBS football, with seven coming from the Power Five level. Defensive end Erick Fowler also played at Texas. 

The move leaves Texas with a shallow running back room. Cal transfer Tre Watson graduates, leaving Keontay Ingram as the only running back who posted at least 50 carries a year ago. Daniel Young and Kyle Porter are already back, but neither contributed much last season. 

Buford (GA) running back Derrian Brown, the No. 234 player in the country, is the only running back recruit in the Longhorns' 2019 recruiting class.