AUSTIN — Senior Texas kicker Will Stone has decided to redshirt and forgo playing time with the Longhorns for the rest of the season. This comes after he’s been unable to secure time as a place-kicker due to the depth ahead of him.

Stone has been the senior kickoff specialist for the Longhorns and is the second Texas player this week to utilize a redshirt. His plans are still unknown, but he’ll likely end up transferring once the transfer portal opens towards the end of the season.

He was originally rated as the No. 3 kicker in high school, but has not had the chance to do much in his time in Austin.

Due to former Texas kicker Bert Auburn’s presence at Texas, Stone sat behind him and waited for his turn to compete. When the time came, Auburn ultimately hit the portal and went to the University of Miami.

Texas also went to work in the portal and secured kicker Mason Shipley, who transferred from Texas State.

Once Shipley arrived in Austin, the two competed, but Shipley ultimately won the battle for place-kicker. That left Stone on kickoff duties for the season. Due to a back injury, he’s also missed two games this season.

Michigan State was the only other team that was involved in his recruitment, so they may go after him again if he does enter the portal. However, he’ll likely be more sought after now, which will bring him many other options.