Special teams trio commit to Texas Football from NCAA Transfer Portal

5 days ago 2

Texas Football has rebooted the specialists on special teams. On Sunday, the Longhorns signed a place kicker, a punter and a long snapper from the NCAA Transfer Portal.

With the SEC expanding to 105 scholarships in 2026, the portal strategy changes a little bit. Texas can sign experience to rely on next season, while also developing possible replacements in the background. That's especially true at a position like kicker. A program with aspirations like Texas can't wait on a kicker to mature on the field. UT needs made field goals.

Kicker: Gianni Spetic - Memphis Tigers

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian will once again go with an experienced foot. Texas has received a commitment from Memphis Tigers kicker Gianni Spetic from the portal. Spetic committed during a trip to the UT campus.

Spetic will replace Mason Shipley, who is out of eligibility. Texas signed Shipley last offseason from the portal. The former Texas State Bobcat had a solid year from Texas, going 20 of 24 for an 83.3% success rate. Spetic, by comparison, was 15 of 20 for a 75% success rate.

Long-snapper: Trey Dubuc - New Mexico Lobos

Texas special teams coordinator Jeff Banks has landed an experienced replacement for outgoing long-snapper Lance St. Louis. The Longhorns have gained a commitment from New Mexico Lobos transfer Trey Dubuc.

Dubuc, from Fort Lauderdale, started his career at USF. He redshirted in 2023 then participated in one play in 2024. The 6-foot-1, 209-pounder then transferred to New Mexico where he became the starter.

Punter: Mac Chiumento - Florida State Seminoles

Finally, Sark and Banks landed an experienced punter from Florida State. Again, the Texas coaching staff is going for an experienced player in Mac Chiumento.

After a few bad years from the punting position, Texas signed Jack Bouwmeester last year. The Utah transfer had a solid and steady year for Texas. Texas hopes Chiumento will have similar success.

The 6-foot-4, 222-pound specialist was one of the top punters in the nation out of high school. The Dayton Beach native kicked off a few times for FSU during his redshirt and freshman years in Tallahassee. This season, he broke out as a punter. Chiumento averaged 44 yards a punt as the starter in 2025, with just one touchback and 13 downed inside the 20-yard line.

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Football signs special teams trio from NCAA Transfer Portal

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