Ryan Niblett has already made his mark at Texas in the most electric way possible: with the ball in his hands and plenty of space in front of him. Now the Longhorns are trying to tap into that same burst on offense, not just on special teams.
Niblett said after Day 2 of fall camp on Thursday that the coaching staff is working to get him more involved. “They are (trying to get me more touches),” Niblett said. “Not a set number, but they are definitely trying to put me in there a lot more.”
Texas officially lists him as a running back/wide receiver, which fits the winding path his Longhorn career has taken. He has been labeled at different spots, even spending time at defensive back early on before the staff settled on a better use for his speed and playmaking ability. That move paid off last season, when he became one of the nation’s most dangerous punt returners.
His numbers on offense have been limited so far: 13 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown, plus 11 catches for 84 yards. But the real story has been what he’s done in the return game, where he delivered three huge moments over a three-game stretch last season.
The first came in the Red River Rivalry, when he broke loose for a 75-yard punt return touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal Texas’ 23-6 win over No. 6 Oklahoma in Dallas. It was the kind of play that can live forever in rivalry memory, and it came right after Texas had taken an ugly loss to Florida the week before.
A week later against Kentucky, Niblett nearly struck again. He ripped off a punt return all the way to the five-yard line, setting up Texas’ first touchdown in a game that needed every bit of help it could get.
He later added a 43-yard return that led to a field goal, and that night wound up being one where Texas leaned hard on him. Without those returns, the Longhorns likely don’t escape with a 16-13 overtime win.
Then came Mississippi State, where Niblett did it again. Down 38-21 late in the fourth quarter, Texas got a jolt from his 79-yard punt return touchdown with 1:47 left to force overtime. The Longhorns finished the comeback in the extra period.
That stretch made one thing obvious: Niblett can change a game in a hurry. Texas now wants to see if that explosiveness can translate into a bigger role on offense this season.
In Other News...
Arch Manning Looks Sharper But Texas Still Has One Big Concern
Arch Manning has looked more comfortable and more decisive during Texas fall camp, and that has been hard to miss inside the program. Coaches and teammates have pointed to a clear jump in his growth since last season, with his throwing hitting receivers more cleanly and his overall approach drawing praise as he works through a crucial stretch for the Longhorns.
The concern, though, is still the same one that follows any young quarterback: can he carry that practice progress into games and do it while keeping himself upright? Texas saw too many snaps end with pressure getting home a year ago, and until Manning proves he can handle that part of the job more consistently, the optimism around his sharper camp will come with a lingering caveat. [Read more 🡒]
Justus Terry Is Giving Texas A New Reason For Defensive Hope
The first week of fall camp has already given Texas a fresh reason to feel better about its defensive front, and it starts with sophomore lineman Justus Terry. A former five-star from the 2025 class, Terry has stood out early while the Longhorns sort through the void left by several experienced defensive linemen heading to the NFL, and his ability to line up in multiple spots only adds to the appeal.
Hero Kanus public praise of Terry only sharpened the attention around him, because Texas is looking for young players who can help absorb real snaps right away. The Longhorns do not need another name to watch so much as another interior force they can trust, and Terrys early camp showing has nudged him toward that conversation before a single game has been played. [Read more 🡒]