AUSTIN (KXAN) - Often a football player will come into their collegiate career hoping and expecting to be a key contributor early. Four-star recruit Ryan Niblett was no different starting off with the Texas Longhorns.

The Houston native played extremely sparingly in his first couple years in Austin. Tallying just 11 combined receptions and rush attempts in 2023 and 2024, Niblett's eyes naturally wandered.

He thought about leaving the program via the transfer portal after last season, with interest from schools like Texas Tech and Alabama.

His head coach didn't let him leave.

"He just told me to stay grounded. There's going to be a spot for you. The way you work," said Niblett about what Steve Sarkisian told him. "He's going to have a spot for me."

Niblett listened to his head coach an

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