Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian has taken his program to two straight College Football Playoff semifinals.
However, now he is tasked with replacing a starter from last season’s team. True freshman punter Michael Kern entered the transfer portal on Friday, leaving a hole in special teams.
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On3’s Pete Nakos reported that a former Big 12 foe is visiting with Kern in the form of the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Kern was a member of Texas’ 2024 recruiting class, which ranked sixth nationally on On3 Sports.
Texas reached the SEC Championship Game and lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the semifinal of the playoff.
Texas Longhorns kicker Michael Kern (39). Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Texas initially recruited Kern as a kicker, and he was a three-star recruit in the 2024 class. He was the No. 8 kicker in the On3 Industry Rankings.
Kern had 64 punts in 2024, 1,706 total punt yards, and an average of 41.6 yards per punt. He played in all 16 of the Longhorns’ games last season.
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Texas has added 10 players from the portal and lost 16. The Longhorns’ most significant losses are receiver Johntay Cook II, tight end Amari Niblack, edge rusher Justice Finkley, and linebacker Derion Gullette.
Defensive lineman Travis Shaw (North Carolina), defensive lineman Hero Kanu (Ohio State), defensive lineman Cole Brevard (Purdue), receiver Emmett Mosley (Stanford), and linebacker Brad Spence (Arkansas) highlight the program’s transfer additions.
After starting the 2024 season ranked No. 17, Oklahoma State ended the year at 3-9. The Cowboys won their first three games, but went on a nine-game losing streak to close out the regular season.
Texas opens the 2025 season against Ohio State on Aug. 30.
Related: Former Texas WR Johntay Cook Predicted to Land With Unexpected ACC Program