AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is sure glad Ryan Niblett didn’t transfer.
It’s a term used more to describe a baseball player, but Niblett is a true utility player for the Longhorns. He’s played receiver, running back, and defensive back, and he’s been on special teams in his two-plus years with the program.
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Texas punt returner Ryan Niblett (21) celebrates with teammates after returning a punt for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter) -
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) and defensive back Michael Taaffe, left, celebrate after defeating Oklahoma in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter) -
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) and defensive back Michael Taaffe, center bottom, celebrate with fans after defeating Oklahoma in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter) -
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, center, celebrates with fans after defeating Oklahoma in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter) -
Texas quarterback Arch Manning, center, throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
He showed his worth by turning in the biggest play of the 2025 Red River Rivalry, a 75-yard punt return touchdown that zapped the energy out of Oklahoma and their half of the stands in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, swinging all the momentum toward the Longhorns. Texas went on to win its third Golden Hat in the past four seasons 23-6, keeping the Sooners out of the end zone for a second consecutive game.
But Sarkisian had to convince Niblett to stick around. The head coach told reporters Monday that Niblett was considering leaving Austin before the season, but Sarkisian’s pitch to essentially re-recruit a guy who is so ingrained in the team’s identity worked. And he’s happy about that.
“I fought hard to keep him here because one, the player that he is, and two, I think he’s a glue guy when it comes to our culture,” Sarkisian said. “Culture wins. As much as talented people matter, culture matters more. He’s one of those guys who is true to our culture, and to see him have some of the success he’s having is cool to see.”
Niblett is the main punt returner this season, and he covers kickoffs, along with lining up at receiver and running back. He’s a Swiss Army knife, so to speak, because he does just about everything. That’s what Sarkisian saw in him when he was recruiting Niblett out of Eisenhower High School in northwest Houston.
“He was a versatile player in high school. He played running back, Wildcat quarterback, receiver … so when we got him here, it was just trying to figure out what his role was,” Sarkisian said. “He’s dualing at running back and receiver, returning kicks and punts, and he’s an elite special teams player on kickoff coverage. It’s that selfless nature that he has; he’s an awesome teammate.”
It’s another example of a player who decided to stick around the program they started in and found success, rather than entering the transfer portal to pursue the path of least resistance to get more playing time. Running back Quintrevion Wisner is another example of that, and Sarkisian said that it all goes back to the culture of the program.
“He’s a great role model to younger players of staying the course and working,” Sarkisian said. “The younger players see that and see that it’s not always about if you’re a frontline starter or not right away. They can find a role on special teams and then grow into that role.”
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