Thursday, veteran Texas Longhorns kicker Bert Auburn announced he was entering the transfer portal. On Friday, UT coach Steve Sarkisian found his replacement. Texas has a commitment from Texas State kicker Mason Shipley.
Shipley, who will be a senior for the coming season, has kicked 31 of 35 field goals in his career. The Liberty Hill, TX native was was first-team Sun Belt kicker for 2023 and a semifinalist for the 2023 Lou Groza Award. He also made a 60-yard FG last season setting both the school and conference record.
The former Bobcat spent his freshman year at Oklahoma State but didn’t attempt a kick. Texas now have three kickers on the roster.
Senior Will Stone handled kickoff duties last year and started in the college football playoff semifinal Cotton Bowl after Sarkisian bench Auburn after his poor game in the Peach Bowl. Stone made two extra points. Redshirt Spencer Barnett is also on the roster. Barnett famously booted a 59-yard FG in high school at Westlake.
Auburn, who appeared in 28 games for Texas, was recently named to Phil Steele’s 2024 Preseason All-America Second Team and the media’s preseason All-SEC First Team. He was also tabbed to the Lou Groza Award preseason watch list, recognizing the nation’s top kicker. He finished the 2024 season 16 of 25 on field goals, with six of those misses coming in the final five games of the season. It’s unclear destinations that may target Auburn.
But it was telling that Auburn participated in Senior Day festivities before the Texas-Kentucky game. It seemed then that Auburn’s days in Austin were coming to an end.
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