Texas sophomore running back Jerrick Gibson and junior kicker Will Stone have departed from the football program, Texas Athletics confirmed as of Tuesday morning. 

The move came to preserve playing eligibility; both Gibson and Stone intend to enter the transfer portal later this season. New for 2026, football only has one transfer period, which opens on Jan. 2 and closes two weeks later on Jan. 16. 

Initially broken by Inside Texas, the report was confirmed by Texas Athletics officials to the Daily Texan. 

A second-year running back from Gainesville, Florida, Gibson received a minor role in the Longhorns’ offense this season inside a crowded Texas running back room. Against Oklahoma on Saturday, Gibson only received a single touch, accumulating -3 yards. 

Stone, a three-year starter as the Longhorns’ kickoff specialist, missed a pair of games this season in the Longhorns’ final non-conference games against Sam Houston and UTEP. Texas State transfer senior kicker Mason Shipley took over kickoff duties for Stone during his absence. 

Shipley, an experienced kickoff specialist during his time at Texas State, is expected to take over kickoff duties full-time starting this Saturday against Kentucky.