Longhorns Country

5-Star Kicker Commits to Texas Longhorns in 2026 Recruiting Class

The Texas Longhorns are adding another specialist to their 2026 recruiting class.
Zach Dimmitt|
Oct 26, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Texas Longhorns place kicker Bert Auburn (45) kicks what is to become the game winning field goal against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Oct 26, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Texas Longhorns place kicker Bert Auburn (45) kicks what is to become the game winning field goal against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

In this story:

Texas Longhorns

AUSTIN -- The Texas Longhorns continue to experience an offseason of notable additions on special teams.

Texas added a commitment from five-star 2026 kicker Jake Collett on Sunday, he announced on X, giving the Longhorns their 10th commit of the cycle. A product of Heritage (Ringgold, GA), Collett chose Texas despite offers from UConn and Army.

Though unranked by 247Sports, Collett is a five-star recruit on Kohl Kicking's rankings, where he is the No. 2 overall kicker and No. 60 punter.

Steve Sarkisian
Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian before the College Football Playoff semifinal against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Collett now joins a Texas 2026 recruiting class that features five-stars like quarterback Dia Bell, long snapper Trott O'Neal and athlete Jermaine Bishop Jr., four-star defensive lineman Dylan Berymon, and three-star talents like wide receiver Chris Stewart, offensive lineman Nicolas Robertson, safety Yaheim Riley, cornerback Hayward Howard Jr. and offensive tackle Max Wright.

Berymon announced his commitment to Texas during his official visit in Austin on Saturday.

According to the Kohl's Kicking scouting report, Collett showed off field-goal range of up to 65 yards at the 2025 Midwest Showcase Camp.

"Collett had his best showing to date at the 2025 Midwest Showcase Camp," Kohl's scouting report reads. "He was dominant throughout the drill work and competitions. He won the kickoff competition and had a couple kickoffs go 75-80 yards with 4.3 seconds of hang-time. Collett also showed consistent field goal range out to 65 yards away at camp. ... His leg strength is outstanding and with work in the coming months his ball striking will match it. At Kohl's Midwest Winter Showcase, he impressed with the command of his "A" ball and his overall leg strength."

The Longhorns have had some notable changes on special teams this offseason. Along with losing returners Silas Bolden and Matthew Golden, Texas saw the departures of punters Michael Kern and Ian Ratliff and kicker Bert Auburn. The Longhorns added Utah punter Jack Bouwmeester and Texas State kicker Mason Shipley while also returning kickoff specialist Will Stone.

Texas begins its regular season against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Aug. 30.

Published
Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

Share on XFollow ZachDimmitt7
Home/Football