Robles Will Tee It Up Against Former Team

The kicker spent two seasons at USC in a very limited role.

Tyler Robles kicked a 33-yard field goal against Minnesota. | Dave Sizer photo

Tyler Robles knows all about pressure.

Such as coming to the University of Washington and winning the kicking job, only to have the guy he replaced, three-year starter Grady Gross, be granted an extra year of eligibility.

So far Robles has been able to maintain his role as the No. 1 guy through four games, relegating Gross to kickoff duties only, but now he's got a new stress to deal with this weekend.

He's facing USC, his original team before transferring to Texas State and on to the UW.

Since coming to Montlake, the 5-foot-7, 175-pound Robles has been thinking about this game.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't," he acknowledged.

Tyler Robles faces his former team in USC this weekend. | Dave Sizer photo

From the San Diego area, Robles spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Trojans as a back-up kicker.

As a freshman, they let himk a PAT against Nevada and three kickoffs against Louisville in the Holiday Bowl. As a sophomore, all he did was watch.

Both years, the Huskies beat his team, 52-42 in Los Angeles and 26-21 in Seattle.

"I'll be exiting to go back," Robles said. "Obviously, I cut my teeth there."

The Huskies took him on after he got a chance to put his leg on display at Texas State, which is located in San Marcos, halfway between San Antonio and Austin.

He was near perfect for the 7-6 Bobcats by connecting on 21 of 23 field-goal attempts and all but one of 54 extra-point kicks. He led the Sun Belt in scoring. He set a Texas State record with 116 points.

Then it was into the transfer portal a second time and he made a connection with the Huskies.

"Washington's got a lot of things," he said. "Obviously, the Big Ten. Coming back to the Big Ten is an honor. Big games. Big stages."

Tyler Robles watches his field-goal attempt sail into the sunshine. | Dave Sizer photo

For the Huskies so far, Robles has made 7 of 9 field -goal attempts, including three against Utah State. He connected on a season-long 48-yarder against Washington State. He's made his last five in a row.

If there's a close game in Los Angeles on Saturday, he could have a chance to settle it against his old team, which would make it all that more meaningful.

"Wherever the team needs me, I'll be ready to go," Robles said.