Texas Longhorns RB Ryan Niblett Hints at New Role Next Season

The Texas Longhorns are now in the depths of spring practice, with head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff having received a much cleaner look at the team they constructed over the offseason as the program continue to lay the foundation for the 2026 season.

The spring was going to be huge for the Longhorns after the major additions they made over the offseason, as the incoming transfer portal class, as well as the 2026 high school class, both assimilate into the key group of returners from a year ago.

And with spring practice being the perfect time for the new faces to get things rolling in their new environment, spring ball is also the place for some of those returning Longhorns from the 2025 season to solidify their roles on the squad, and of those recently talked about a new role he could step into.

Ryan Niblett Talks Expanded Role in Texas' Offense

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Ryan Niblett runs the ball against Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kj Bolden. | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

In a media availability on Thursday, running back and punt returner Ryan Niblett talked about how he sees himself slotting into the Longhorns' 2026 squad, finding his role still as a return man but also in the Longhorns' backfield.

"I think I'm going to have a pretty big role on this team, the same as last year, doing what I do at punt returner, and more of a third-down running back," Niblett said. "Just being there when the guys get tired, just be there, show, make plays when they are down. So I think I'm going to have a really good role this year."

Obviously, Niblett had a breakout season in 2025, earning First Team All-American honors as the Longhorns' punt returner, with 19 attempts, totaling 448 yards for nearly 24 yards per return and two touchdowns. With both of those touchdowns being key scores, with one being the dagger in the Red River Rivalry game and the other against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, which tied the game late.

Throughout last season, Sarkisian found a way to utilize Niblett on the offensive side of the ball in a minimal role out of the backfield as he received five carries for 15 yards and tallied eight receptions for 60 yards.

Now with Niblett poetically getting an expanded look in the revamped Longhorns running back room, he also talked about his skills coming out of the backfield.

"I feel like I'm very smart," Niblett said. "I'm very fast, so just being able to slow the game down, knowing my reads, knowing who I got in past pro, just understanding everything that's going on around me."

The Longhorns' running back room heading into the fall is completely remade with the incoming transfers of Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers to go with the addition of Derrek Cooper out of the high school ranks. If Niblett can get himself involved in the Longhorns' plans in the running back room, it gives Sarkisian another weapon to add to what could be a very explosive offense.

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