We’ve found our way to the final transfer portal edition of ‘New Faces at Forty’. It’s time to break down the group that was probably as influential as anyone in the Longhorns’ championship run: the special teams players. Steve Sarkisian and Jeff Banks will be tasked with replacing all three special teams starters from a year ago.
Mason Shipley (K), Jack Bouwmeester (P) and Lance St. Louis (LS) will all be promoted to special teams for Texas in 2025. Can Gianni Spetic(K), Mac Chuimento(P) and Trey DeBuc(LS) continue their previous jobs?
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2025 Statistics
Gianni Spectik (Memphis): 15 points on 20 field goals, 4 of 5 from 50 yards or more
Mac Chuimento (Florida): 27 punts, 44 yards per punt (L: 56 yards), 13 downs inside the 20-yard line
Trey Dubuque (New Mexico): Started all 13 games, LS ranked first in the portal
Let’s start with a player who could very well decide a game or two for the Longhorns: new kicker Gianni Spectik. Spetic played in Memphis for three years and improved each season. He struggled between 40 and 49 yards but went 4-for-5 at 50+ compared to 2-for-5 for Mason Shipley a year ago. He also served as the Tigers’ kickoff specialist, solving the Texans’ struggles in 2025. Spetic needs to improve his consistency a bit, but he gives Texans more range, which can be a game-changer. Spetic is the immediate answer to the position the Longhorns can’t miss in a “go-to” season.
Turning to Mac Chuimento, he may have some bigger shoes to fill. Jack Bouwmeester ended up being a major addition to Texas’ class last year, and now Chuimento needs to fill that void. A year ago, Bouwmeester averaged 44.5 yards per punt, just half a yard better than Chuimento, and punted less often inside the 20-yard line. All things considered, this feels like a very fair “trade” for punters, but hopefully Chuimento won’t be on the field as often as Bouwmeester, who punted 59 times in 2025.
Trey Dubuc is a name you hope you don’t hear too much going into the 2026 season, because if you hear a long snapper’s name, it’s usually a bad thing. Having said that, this is a strong addition for a position that needs to be as solid as possible. Dubuque, the 12th-ranked prospect in the LS class of 2023, spent his first two seasons at USF and didn’t see much of the field before starting every game for the Lobos in 2025. It’s not a flashy addition, but it’s a strong one for the Longhorns.
This could be a season changer for the Longhorns. Spetic, Chuimento and Dubuc all bring a wealth of experience and proven track records. In 2024, the Longhorns’ special teams unit was abysmal. In 2025, it is the country’s mid lane unit. Hopefully this team can take it to the next level and make Texas a truly complete team in 2026 with three phases.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas football transfer profile: Special teams trio answer questions
