The freshman punter for the Longhorns is trending in a positive direction with game time approaching.
If the most surprising revelation from the initial injury report released by the Texas Longhorns on Wednesday was the status of freshman punter Michael Kern listed as questionable with an injury sustained since the SEC opener, then Friday’s upgrade of Kern to probable was a positive development for the Longhorns ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Cotton Bowl.
After enrolling during the summer, the Florida product earned the starting job over sophomore walk-on Ian Ratliff during preseason camp, resolving a notable offseason storyline. Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian confirmed on Thursday that Ratliff would punt against Oklahoma if Kern can’t play, a potentially concerning development with the heightened pressure of the rivalry game and split Cotton Bowl.
Over 12 punts in five games, Kern is showing signs that he’s still a true freshman punter who enrolled during the summer, averaging 42.8 yards per attempt with a long of 52 yards and four punts inside the opposing 20-yard line with opponents only returning three of those punts for a total of 18 yards.
So even though Kern understandably remains a work in progress, his game experience, albeit limited, is still preferable to the unknown of Ratliff. Since Kern also serves as the holder for senior place kicker Bert Auburn, Ratliff would also take over that role if Kern misses Saturday’s game.
Two other walk ons were also upgraded from questionable to probable — junior walk-on running back Colin Page and sophomore walk-on deep snapper Tate Haver, the backup to starter Lance St. Louis.
Meanwhile, sophomore safety Derek Williams remains probable after he was listed as questionable on Wednesday’s initial report. Williams has missed the last three games with a hamstring injury.
Oklahoma’s injury report did not change after all nine players on the report were listed as out on Thursday, including five wide receivers.