AUSTIN (KXAN) — A football player often enters his collegiate career hoping and expecting to be a key contributor early. Four-star recruit Ryan Niblett was no different starting for the Texas Longhorns.
The Houston native played very sparingly in his first two years in Austin. After recording just 11 receptions and combined rushing attempts in 2023 and 2024, Niblett’s eyes naturally wandered.
He considered leaving the program through the transfer portal after last season, with schools like Texas Tech and Alabama interested.
His head coach wouldn’t let him leave.
“He just told me to stay grounded. There’s going to be a place for you. The way you work,” Niblett said of what Steve Sarkisian told him. “He’ll have a place for me.”
Niblett listened to his head coach and both sides are grateful he’ll still be wearing burnt orange in 2025. His breakout moment came in the Red River contest against Oklahoma with a punt return for a touchdown.
“When the ball is in the air, I can feel the defenders and I can see them around me,” Neblett said of the comeback mentality. “I just know what to do right when I get the ball and I know how explosive I have to be.”
The next game was against Kentucky and Niblett’s impact was even greater. A 45-yard punt return by the sophomore in the first half set up the Longhorns’ only touchdown of the game.
Then, the Longhorns were able to take the lead in the final minute of regulation thanks to a 43-yard Niblett return into Kentucky territory.
Moments like this make Niblett appreciate how hard Steve Sarkisian was pleading with him to stay.
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“It actually meant a lot. Some people, I don’t tend to fight for them. Seeing him fight for me gave me hope and opportunity. It meant a lot,” Niblett said.
Niblett and Texas will look to continue their winning ways on Saturday at 3:15 PM as they head to Starkville to take on Mississippi State. Texas Gameday is the official pregame show of Texas football and airs one hour before kickoff each week on KBVO and the Longhorn Network app.