Texas will have a new starting kicker for the 2025-26 season.
Senior kicker Bert Auburn announced Thursday that he is entering the NCAA transfer portal after four seasons with the Longhorns. Auburn leaves as Texas’ all-time leader in field goals made (66) and total points scored (376).
The news comes just days after head coach Steve Sarkisian said the team’s kicking competition between Auburn and junior Will Stone remained ongoing. Stone handled kickoffs throughout last season and assumed place-kicking duties in the College Football Playoff Semifinal against Ohio State after Auburn was benched for misses during the Peach Bowl.
“Football is an ultimate team sport, but there’s specific positions that are kind of individualized… There’s a psychological approach that we have tried to use and there’s obviously the physical approach. We’ll monitor that through pregame and make a decision and go.” Steve Sarkisian said ahead of the Cotton Bowl.
Earlier in the year, Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian praised Auburn:, “He’s great for our specialists room. He’s a great worker. He’s a great leader.”
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.