Kentucky RB Baxter Emphasizes Culture as Key to Winning

Transfer running back CJ Baxter believes Kentucky's focus on team culture will be the difference-maker this season.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:27am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a Kentucky football game, with sharp planes of blue, white, and gold representing the dynamic action on the field.Kentucky's emphasis on team culture could be the key to their success this season, as reflected in this cubist illustration of the Wildcats' high-energy offense.Lexington Today

Kentucky football running back CJ Baxter, a transfer from Texas, emphasized the importance of team culture in building a winning program under new head coach Will Stein. Baxter praised Stein's implementation of 'Get Real' team meetings to foster bonding and accountability among the players, many of whom are new transfers. Baxter believes Kentucky's strong culture will be the key factor that allows the team to compete at a high level and potentially make a deep postseason run.

Why it matters

In the modern era of college football dominated by the transfer portal, building a cohesive team culture has become increasingly challenging for programs. Baxter's comments suggest Kentucky is making culture a top priority, which could give them an edge over teams that struggle to integrate new players. A strong team culture is often cited as a crucial ingredient for sustained success in college sports.

The details

Baxter highlighted Kentucky's 'Get Real' team meetings as a key part of Stein's efforts to build culture. In these sessions, players open up to their teammates about personal matters in order to foster deeper connections. Baxter said these meetings have helped players understand each other's 'why' and motivate one another through tough times. The running back also praised the Kentucky coaching staff's focus on sports science and helping players learn about their bodies, which he believes will keep the team fresh for a potential 16-17 game season.

  • Baxter transferred to Kentucky this offseason after playing at Texas last year.

The players

CJ Baxter

A highly-touted running back transfer from Texas who is looking to prove himself at Kentucky under new head coach Will Stein.

Will Stein

The new head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats football team, who is focused on building a strong winning culture.

Jovantae Barnes

Another running back on the Kentucky roster who could form a potent 1-2 punch with Baxter in the Wildcats' backfield.

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What they’re saying

“I think culture wins games. There's no doubt about it. I was a part of a great culture last year, I'm not going to take that away from that place, but I can just tell here, the culture here is establishing fast. The guys are bonding in the locker room, top down. It's kind of hard, we have a bunch of transfers, but you won't even be able to tell if you go in the locker room right now. Everybody's buying into each other.”

— CJ Baxter, Kentucky Running Back

“Coach Stein, for sure. He's a young head coach compared to a bunch of other ones. When I went in my meeting with him and my parents, just hearing him talk, it was like almost a no-brainer. He gave me a plan of what he wants me to accomplish here and, overall, the culture that he's setting here.”

— CJ Baxter, Kentucky Running Back

“It'd be amazing. I always say, being in the running back room, you never want to be the only guy. Our position is very physical, especially in the SEC. We're hoping to play 16-17 games this year and it's going to take everyone in the room to achieve that.”

— CJ Baxter, Kentucky Running Back

What’s next

Baxter and the Kentucky football team will look to put their strong team culture to the test when they open the 2026 season on September 2nd against the Miami Hurricanes.

The takeaway

In an era where the transfer portal has made building team chemistry more challenging, Kentucky's emphasis on fostering a winning culture under new head coach Will Stein could give the Wildcats a significant advantage. Baxter's comments suggest the team has already bought into Stein's vision, which bodes well for their chances of competing at a high level this season.