Texas kicker Bert Auburn plans to enter NCAA transfer portal

Texas kicker Bert Auburn plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, he announced on Thursday. Auburn would have been entering his fifth year on the 40 Acres. Instead, he will be looking for a new home ahead of the 2025 season.

“Thank you Texas,” Auburn said via X. “Through all the ups and downs, these have been some of the best years. It’s been an honor to be a longhorn! I will be entering the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining.”

Auburn will leave with a little bit of Texas history attached to his name. No player to come through the program has more points. Usually a category kickers dominate, Auburn is at the top of the list for the Longhorns.

The 2022 season, Sarkisian’s second in charge, is when Auburn took over as the full-time kicker. In 86 career field goal attempts, he has made 66 of those for a percentage of 76.7%. However, this past year was a bit of a struggle. Auburn only made 16 of 25 field goal attempts for nine misses. Four of those were in the postseason — two against Georgia in the SEC Championship game and two more going up against Arizona State in the College Football Playoff.

Auburn will be hoping for a bounce-back season at his next destination. If nothing else, a team will be getting somebody who has been in pressure-filled moments and at times, delivered.

Texas, on the other hand, will be looking for someone new to do the placekicking duties. Jeff Banks is considered one of the top special team coaches in the country and should attract some big-time names.

Former Texas wide receiver Johntay Cook enters NCAA transfer portal

According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Washington wide receiver Johntay Cook has entered the NCAA transfer portal. This is the second consecutive cycle Cook has hit the open market, transferring to Washington after beginning his career at Texas.

During his time on the 40 Acres, Cook appeared in 20 games. Six of those were during the 2024 season, one where Texas competed in the SEC Championship game and the College Football Playoff. Cook totaled eight receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

Cook decided to leave Texas in early December and committed to Washington just after Christmas Day, choosing to continue his career in the Pacific Northwest. However, the relationship was short-lived. Nakos confirmed Washington and Cook parted ways with each other on Jan. 14, less than 48 hours after the player arrived on campus.