Texas could lose freshman starter who Steve Sarkisian called a 'weapon' to former Big 12 rival or recent National Champion
The Texas Longhorns will be undergoing more special teams changes this spring transfer portal window. After losing two punters in Ian Ratliff and Charlie Feris to the portal, with Ratliff already committing to Appalachian State, it didn't take long for 2024 starter Michael Kern to have what seems like his final two options emerge. According […]
The Texas Longhorns will be undergoing more special teams changes this spring transfer portal window. After losing two punters in Ian Ratliff and Charlie Feris to the portal, with Ratliff already committing to Appalachian State, it didn't take long for 2024 starter Michael Kern to have what seems like his final two options emerge.
According to On3's Pete Nakos, Kern will visit the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Michigan Wolverines have also expressed interest. That said, a "quick decision is not expected."
Kern served as Texas' starting punter during his freshman season. However, both he and Jack Bouwmeester, a transfer from Utah, entered the spring vying for the starting position. Kern's departure suggested that the coaching staff had made a choice.
During the 2024 season, Kern recorded 41 punts for a total of 1,706 yards, including a long punt of 57 yards, three touchbacks, and ten punts that landed inside the 20-yard line. He missed two games due to injury, which allowed Ratliff to play in the matchups against Oklahoma and Georgia.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian expressed confidence in both Kern and Bouwmeester earlier this offseason, but ultimately, only one could secure the role.
"Talented room of specialists for sure," Sarkisian said. "Michael Kern, have seen a definite big uptick in him. He's healthy to go along with Jack, and both those guys can bomb the ball. And when you punt the ball and it's a weapon for you, we felt that a couple different years with (Ryan) Sanborn and (Cameron) Dicker when they were at a high level, and flipping the field and things of that nature. So feel good there."
