With non-conference play in the rearview and SEC competition on the horizon, the bye week offers the perfect moment to take stock of where the No. 10 Texas Longhorns stand. At 3–1, Texas owns a top-10 ranking and momentum after a dominant showing last weekend against the Sam Houston Bearkats, but the first month has also exposed weaknesses alongside strengths.
Over the past two pieces, we’ve graded the offense and defense, measuring how each unit has lived up to preseason expectations. Now we close
out the series by turning to the third phase of the game: special teams. Often overlooked until a mistake is made or a big play swings the tide, special teams have already played a meaningful role in Texas’ season. From kicking consistency to punting field position and the impact of return and coverage units, every detail matters as the Longhorns prepare for the grind of SEC play.
In this final breakdown, we hand out report card grades across the special teams to see where Texas stands heading into October.
Place kicking
Grade: A
Texas turned to the transfer portal for a kicker in the offseason, securing the commitment of Mason Shipley to handle field-goal kicking responsibilities. So far this season, Shipley has nailed all five of his kicks. He’s been consistently from every distance hitting field goals from 20, 30, and 40-plus yards.
He’s also been perfect on extra points.
All in all, Shipley hasn’t been tested much this year, but he has capitalized on every opportunity. His ability to connect on kicks from extreme distance (50-plus) atTexas is somewhat unknown as is his cool factor under pressure but until proven otherwise, this aspect of special teams earns an A.
Kickoffs
Grade: B
Returning kickoff specialist Will Stone began the year as the primary player responsible for handling kickoff duties. However, Stone was replaced after two games by Shipley, who has now handled every kickoff for an unknown reason.
Stone booted five touchbacks in seven attempts verus San Jose State after failing to record any against Ohio State. Since taking over, Shipley has just four touchbacks in 16 attempts and a shank out of bounds. Whether deliberate strategy or another reason, Shipley hasn’t produced nearly as consistently as Stone had.
Nailing opponents deep inside their own territory after scoring only helps an elite defense. Monitoring the person handling these duties and their success will be required moving forward — if Stone is out with a minor injury, expect him to regain the kickoff specialist role when he recovers.
Punting
Grade: A
Transfer Jack Bouwmeester arrived on the Forty Acres this past offseason and immediately made any impact in his performance against Ohio State, pinning the ball deep in Buckeye territory on three occasions, including at the 2-yard line and 3-yard line. On the year, he’s averaged 46.5 yards per punt and booted five 50-plus yard punts in 16 attempts. He’s also pinned five punts inside the 20-yard line. His average yard per punt ranks in the Top-15 in the nation.
In just four games, Bouwmeester has already been a weapon on special teams and looks to be a key, reliable contributor in the battle for field position moving forward.
Returns
Grade: B
Returning punts has been handled by Ryan Niblett, the redshirt sophomore speedster. Niblett has been electric thus far this season, ripping off multiple 40-plus yard returns on just eight returns. His speed and decisiveness was on full display on each of these returns.
Niblett has allowed a few punts to be downed that may have been better to be fair caught, but his decision making has been solid overall. As teams begin to punt away from him given his two long returns, his ability to minimize lost yardage via the fair catch will be just as important as returning punts for positive yardage.
Niblett has also handled kickoff returns with the help of running back Quintrevion Wisner, when healthy, and Ryan Wingo. The kickoff returns haven’t showcased any electricity yet with the longest return going for just 25 yards although there have been limited opportunities given the stifling defense.
Overall, Niblett has brought a genuine spark to Texas’ return game, already proving himself as a threat with the ball in his hands. While kickoff returns remain a work in progress, his punt return explosiveness gives the Longhorns a dangerous weapon on special teams heading into SEC play
Blocks, blocking, and coverage
Grade: B
Texas hasn’t allowed made any mistakes in coverage, but hasn’t shined either. The Longhorns don’t have a block to their name despite coming close on two occasions and committing a penalty on the punt-block unit while not allowing one on either field goals or punts. As mentioned, punt returns have been a bright spot, a testament to Niblett as much as the entire punt return unit’s blocking efforts. Coverage has been adequate as well, an easier task given the prowess of Bouwmeester and team’s reluctance to return kickoffs.
Moving forward the Longhorns will likely want to generate more pressure while attempting to block kicks, a play that has the chance to completely swing the outcome of any game.
