Heading into a critical 2026 season, the Texas Longhorns will remain experienced at the place-kicker position for a second straight year with the pledge of Memphis Tigers transfer Gianni Spetic on Sunday
while on a visit to the Forty Acres.
After Bert Auburn struggled during the 2024 season, special teams coordinator Jeff Banks landed Texas State transfer kicker Mason Shipley over Oklahoma and quickly secured a proven commodity in Spetic only two days after the January transfer window opened.
Out of Chardon in Ohio, Spetic was a multi-sport standout during his prep days, playing soccer, basketball, and baseball in addition to kicking, eventually earning a ranking as the No. 6 kicker and No. 42 punter in the Kohl’s rankings.
“Spetic had an outstanding showing at the National Invitational Scholarship Camp in July of 2022. He was a finalist for the Under Armour All-American Game based on his field goal and kick-off charts. At the Midwest Showcase Camp in May of 2022 he showed improvement in leg strength and ball rotation since his winter camps with us,” the site wrote.
“Spetic won the field goal contest at the camp with 130 other campers. He showed an ability to hit multiple 70-yard kickoffs and is now a D1 prospect. Spetic has unique range on field goals and his ball flight looked different than others at camp. Spetic is a longer player with a frame that can continue to develop in college.”
A member of the 2023 recruiting class, Spetic landed at Ohio University and spent two seasons with the Bobcats, playing in 26 games over two seasons, hitting 80 point-after attempts and connecting on 31-of-42 field-goal attempts with a career long of 52 yards. As the kickoff specialist, Spetic had a 44-percent touchback rate in 2024.
After entering the portal, Spetic landed at Memphis, where hit hit a 55-yard field goal and went 4-of-5 from 50-plus yards. His accuracy wasn’t perfect from shorter distances, missing three of his six attempts between 40 and 49 yards and one of his six attempts between 30 and 39 yards.
It’s still an impressive resume, however, and ensures that Banks won’t have to turn to early enrollee Jake Collett or rising redshirt sophomore Spencer Barnett next season.
