Time spent warming up at the running back position heralded a move from wide receiver for Texas Longhorns freshman Lil’Jordan Humphrey, according to a report from Alex Dunlap of Orangebloods.

The 6’4, 222-pounder has been a spot contributor for the ‘Horns at wide receiver through his first five games, catching two passes for 15 yards.

However, with limited depth at running back due to the offseason injury suffered by junior Roderick Bernard and the injury sustained by sophomore Chris Warren against Oklahoma State that will reportedly keep him out for most or all of the conference season, the coaches apparently feel that Humphrey can provide value at running back.

So this isn’t exactly a vote of confidence for third-string running back Tristian Houston, a redshirt freshman who had three carries for three yards against UTEP.

Humphrey was a two-time All State performer at the Metroplex powerhouse in earning a ranking as the No. 19 athlete nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings, rushing 184 times for 1,292 yards (7.2 ypc) and 14 touchdowns as a senior, while adding 57 catches for 876 yards and eight touchdowns.

In high school, Humphrey was a good high school running back who was able to get behind his pads rather successfully for someone off his height in showing good power at times.

In projecting him to college, though, he has far from an ideal build and lacks the lower-body strength and low center of gravity that defines most successful backs.

This sounds like an experiment and one that is unlikely to result in much on-field production.

The more reasonable hope is that freshman Kyle Porter can finally show some of the skills that helped him excel at Katy and impress coaches and teammates during fall camp.