Austin, October 15, 2025
News Summary
The Texas Longhorns have confirmed the departure of running back Jerrick Gibson and kicker Will Stone from their roster. Both players plan to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens in January 2026. Gibson, who had a promising start to his Texas career, saw a decline in playing time due to competition and struggled with injuries. Stone primarily served as a kickoff specialist but also faced challenges regaining his position after missing games. The Longhorns will need to adjust their roster and strategy moving forward.
Austin — Running back Jerrick Gibson and kicker Will Stone are no longer on the Texas Longhorns’ roster, as confirmed by a team spokesperson. Both players intend to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on January 2, 2026.
Key details at a glance
The departures remove two players from Texas’ roster as the Longhorns move forward after a major conference victory. Gibson and Stone had limited impact in the recent win over Oklahoma and will pursue new opportunities in the coming transfer window.
What happened and why it matters
Gibson had a standout role initially, gaining more opportunities due to injuries to CJ Baxter and Quintrevion Wisner. Over this season, Gibson produced modest numbers and saw his role reduced as teammates returned and others emerged. Over the current season, Gibson recorded 37 carries for 152 yards and one touchdown. Recently, his playing time dropped sharply, and his performance diminished recently, with only one carry for -3 yards during Texas’s win over Oklahoma on Saturday.
Stone served primarily as a kickoff specialist this season, achieving 20 kickoffs and eight touchbacks. He missed two games due to injury and had trouble regaining the starting kicking role.
Background and context on the players
Gibson, a consensus four-star prospect, arrived at Texas in the 2024 recruiting class and had initial success, rushing for 377 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman. Despite the promising freshman campaign, despite his promising start, Gibson struggled with fumbles and lost ground to fellow running backs, limiting his playing time in the subsequent season. On his way out, Gibson aims to preserve his redshirt eligibility for his next program. His high school career concluded at IMG Academy in Bradenton before signing with Texas, despite a late push from Florida.
Stone, ranked the No. 3 kicker in the 2022 recruiting class, faced challenges regaining his starting position and missed two games this season due to injury. This limited his ability to make a sustained impact as the Longhorns adjusted their kicking and kickoff roles.
Coaching and roster factors
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian noted that the need for backs proficient in pass protection diminished Gibson’s role. The return of other backs and the emergence of new players affected Gibson’s opportunities: Gibson could not find consistent footing within the Texas program, facing competition from the returns of Baxter and the emergence of James Simon and Christian Clark.
The combined roster changes come in the wake of a high-profile win: The paired departures follow a week after the Longhorns’ significant win against Oklahoma, where both players had minimal impact on the field. Looking ahead, Texas will look to adjust its strategy moving forward with their remaining running backs, Wisner, Clark, and Simon, as the team navigates the rest of the season.
Immediate implications
The Texas program will proceed without Gibson and Stone on the roster, and coaches will evaluate how to distribute carries and special teams responsibilities. For Gibson, preserving a redshirt year could affect eligibility calculations at his next stop. For Stone, returning from injury and reclaiming a kicking role will be central to any transfer plans.
Roster moving forward
- Remaining running backs to watch: Quintrevion Wisner, Christian Clark, James Simon.
- Special teams adjustments expected after the loss of a kickoff specialist.
- Both players will be eligible to communicate with other programs once the portal opens on January 2, 2026.
FAQ
Are Jerrick Gibson and Will Stone still on the Texas roster?
Running back Jerrick Gibson and kicker Will Stone are no longer on the Texas Longhorns’ roster, as confirmed by a team spokesperson.
When will they enter the transfer portal?
Both players intend to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on January 2, 2026.
What were Gibson’s statistics this season?
Over the current season, Gibson recorded 37 carries for 152 yards and one touchdown.
How did Gibson perform in the game against Oklahoma?
His performance diminished recently, with only one carry for -3 yards during Texas’s win over Oklahoma on Saturday.
What role did Will Stone play this season?
Stone served primarily as a kickoff specialist this season, achieving 20 kickoffs and eight touchbacks.
What was Gibson’s recruiting status and freshman output?
Gibson, a consensus four-star prospect, arrived at Texas in the 2024 recruiting class and had initial success, rushing for 377 yards and four touchdowns as a freshman.
Why did Gibson lose playing time?
Despite his promising start, Gibson struggled with fumbles and lost ground to fellow running backs, limiting his playing time in the subsequent season.
Did coaching decisions affect Gibson’s role?
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian noted that the need for backs proficient in pass protection diminished Gibson’s role.
What is Stone’s recruiting rank and injury status?
Stone, ranked the No. 3 kicker in the 2022 recruiting class, faced challenges regaining his starting position and missed two games this season due to injury.
Where did Gibson go to high school?
Gibson’s high school career concluded at IMG Academy in Bradenton before signing with Texas, despite a late push from Florida.
Is Gibson preserving eligibility?
On his way out, Gibson aims to preserve his redshirt eligibility for his next program.
Why couldn’t Gibson secure a consistent role?
Gibson could not find consistent footing within the Texas program, facing competition from the returns of Baxter and the emergence of James Simon and Christian Clark.
Did these departures follow a recent game?
The paired departures follow a week after the Longhorns’ significant win against Oklahoma, where both players had minimal impact on the field.
How will Texas respond roster-wise?
Texas will look to adjust its strategy moving forward with their remaining running backs, Wisner, Clark, and Simon, as the team navigates the rest of the season.
| Player | Primary Role This Season | Key Season Stats | Recruit Rank / Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerrick Gibson | Running back | 37 carries, 152 yards, 1 touchdown; 1 carry for -3 yards vs Oklahoma | Consensus four-star, 2024 recruiting class | Aimed to preserve redshirt eligibility; struggled with fumbles; lost role to returning teammates |
| Will Stone | Kicker / Kickoff specialist | 20 kickoffs, 8 touchbacks | No. 3 kicker, 2022 recruiting class | Missed two games due to injury; had trouble regaining starting position |
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Additional Resources
- Burnt Orange Nation: Jerrick Gibson Leaves Texas Longhorns Program
- On3: Texas Sophomore Running Back Jerrick Gibson Leaves Team
- Sporting News: Two Texas Longhorns Players No Longer in Program
- ESPN: Texas vs. Ohio State Game
- Statesman: Texas Football Ranking and Poll Updates
- Wikipedia: Jerrick Gibson
- Google Search: Texas Longhorns Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Texas Longhorns
- Google Scholar: Texas Football Transfers
- Google News: Texas Longhorns Football News
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