We are just 19 days from the Texas season kicking off, and it’s time to discuss the new look special teams. The Longhorns added faces at punter, kicker and longsnapper, all veteran bodies with college experience. On top of that, there seems to be big expectations around the new freshmen joining the program.
Texas Longhorns Starters
P Mac Chiumento, K Gianni Spetic, LS Trey Dubuc
This is the trio of transfers. Chuimento enters from Florida State, where his numbers from last season nearly-mirrored Jack Bouwmeester. Spetic comes from Memphis and has flashed his strong leg throughout the offseason. It sounds like both had a very strong day during the scrimmage. Finally, Dubuc comes in from New Mexico, where he appeared in all 13 games a season ago. If this unit is healthy throughout the season, I expect the kicking numbers to match, if not exceed, last season’s numbers.
Texas Longhorns Depth Options
K Jake Collett, K Spencer Barnett, P Mikey Bukauskas, LS Trott O’Neal
The depth(hopefully, the future) on special teams is shaping up very well. Jake Collett and Spencer Barnett are the two depth options at place kicker, with the true freshman Collett likely being the backup. Buskaskus has flashed his leg in a major way this offseason, earning praise among the coaching staff. Again, hopefully these are not players Texas needs to see often this season, but the future seems to be bright in Austin.
Return Game Options
This is the part of special teams most Longhorn fans are most excited about. Ryan Niblett enters the season as the top punt returner in the country, after averaging over 20 yards/return last season. It seems Jermaine Bishop Jr. and Raleek Brown have gotten looks at punt returns and will factor in throughout the season. On kick return, the trio of punt returns, along with Hollywood Smothers and Michael Terry III will get chances this season. Between that group, I expect Texas to be able to change games in the return game, the way they did a season ago.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Trio of transfers leads special teams unit