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Texas Makes Major Transfer Portal Addition

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ryan Harris | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 2:33 PM ET

The Texas Longhorns had a successful 2024-25 campaign with another College Football Playoff semi-final appearance, falling just short to Ohio State.

Heading into the next season under quarterback sensation Arch Manning, the Longhorns are going to be one of the biggest teams to watch.

The kicking game was a struggle last season, with kicking field goals at 64% despite going 100% on extra points.

Steve Sarkisian and the Texas scouts have made a huge addition in the transfer portal to attempt to find a reliable kicker for their 2025-26 campaign by securing former Texas State kicker Mason Shipley.

Shipley spent the last three seasons with Texas State, going 31/35 on field goal attempts throughout his career.

An unbelievable and immediate boost to the kicking game will help this Texas team in a big way. Being able to rely on your field goal kicker will help the offensive play calling when they get thrusted into tough situations.

Shipley has really good range as a kicker, going 3/4 in his career in 50+ yard field goals, and 9/11 on kicks from 40-49 yards out.

It's seen in all levels of football, and kickers make all the difference in the world in tight situations and can change the outcome of the game at any point.

Most notably in the NFL by two former Texas kickers in Justin Tucker for the Ravens and Cameron Dicker for the Chargers, they are massive reasons for the success of their teams.

This Texas team is becoming more complete now with Shipley in the mix, and will be incredible to watch their season unfold, beginning with a semi-final rematch at Ohio State to kick things off.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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