Ryan Niblett has a new fan at his games. She’s new to the world, but some could see her as his biggest fan. If not now, then later.
Not even two months old, Romi Niblett, the daughter of Texas’ do-it-all athlete, watched her father play football for the very first time against Sam Houston State. She could have been wearing different colors and watching him play for another team this season, but giving up isn’t in Niblett’s nature.
After all, he is driven by his greatest fear — failure.
Back at Aldine Eisenhower High School in Houston, Niblett did it all. He kicked, he punted and he returned both. He played running back, receiver and even quarterback. Also a track star, Niblett was the Texas District 14-6A All-Purpose Player of the Year as a junior in 2021.
“I did everything in high school,” Niblett said. “Me just being an athlete, I could do everything.”
A four-star wide receiver, according to 247Sports, Niblett chose Texas over other powerhouse schools like Oregon, LSU, Penn State and Alabama. He also considered Houston, but his talents belonged in Austin.
Or so he thought.
After his freshman year, backing up future NFL guys like Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell, Niblett talked with head coach Steve Sarkisian about the idea of transferring and came dangerously close to doing so. Sarkisian ensured he would find space on the field for the 5-foot-10 speedster. It was never about when, just about where.
“I think it’s the selfless nature that he has,” Sarkisian said. “He’s an awesome teammate, and I credit him because there was moments when he was thinking about leaving this place … I think he’s a great model to younger players of just sticking and staying the course and working.”
Niblett works hard at practice, arguably harder than anyone else. He tries to outhustle others. It’s why he has found a role as a returner and been Texas’ best player in the past two weeks in that position.
Against Oklahoma, it was a punt return to stretch the game to two possessions in the fourth quarter.
Against Kentucky, it was a return to the five-yard line where Texas would score its only touchdown of the game in a 16-13 overtime win.
Atychiphobia, otherwise known as the fear of failure, has plagued sophomore returner Ryan Niblett — it’s meaningful enough to be in his Instagram bio. But in the line above, he writes, “never intentionally be average.” It’s something he lives by, for what his life was and is. From a two-sport star in high school to nearly transferring his first year to finding a spot on the roster as he began his life as a father, nothing is average about Ryan Niblett’s life.
Football is about balance for the new father. When he’s at football, he’s all about between the lines, but when he’s home, he takes care of his baby. Life is about balance for the 20-year-old.
“When I’m at football, I try to only focus on football,” Niblett said. “When I go home, I try to go home and be a dad. … It’s been going great.”
Niblett’s story isn’t finished — far from it. But his path from Aldine to Austin and everything that has come after shows one thing above all else: he doesn’t run from the hard parts.
He embraces them. Whether it’s a punt or a new chapter in life, Ryan Niblett keeps moving forward — fast, determined and never average.
