Texas Finally Has Its Kicker

By Chris O'Connell in 40 Acres, Sports on July 25, 2016 at 8:58 am | No Comments

A few months ago, a column I wrote addressed the long, hard road former Texas kicker Nick Rose had as a Longhorn. Despite his woes, Rose, BA ’16, would have been welcomed back with open arms when, midway through the summer, coach Charlie Strong admitted he still didn’t have a kicker with whom he was comfortable trotting out against Notre Dame on September 4. On Sunday afternoon, former LSU kicker and 2015 Lou Groza Award semifinalist Trent Domingue signed a financial aid agreement with Texas.

Already a member of the preseason watch list for the 2016 Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top kicker, Domingue is a graduate transfer who earned a business degree this spring from LSU. A former walk-on, he spent 2015 as the Tigers’ full-time kicker, after taking the reins with two games left in the 2014 season. He went 13-17 on field goals last year, including 10 straight at one point. He made 42 consecutive extra points and went 49-50 on the season for a career total of 55-56. He split kickoff duty last year. His 32 kickoffs averaged 58.4 yards, with seven touchbacks.

“We’re obviously thrilled that Trent decided to join our program,” Strong said in a statement. “What a great addition in a critical position of need for us. Trent’s an experienced and proven kicker who has had a great deal of success at the highest level and competed in pressure situations.”

The Tigers were 9-3 in 2015. On October 17, against the Florida Gators, Domingue took a fake field goal 16 yards for what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown. On December 29, he was a perfect 8-8 on extra points as LSU demolished Texas Tech in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl.

Domingue—pronounced “doh-MAIN”—says that former LSU and current Texas defensive line coach Brick Haley’s presence sparked his interest in the Longhorns. He will study advertising at UT.

“I’ve always known that Texas has been a pretty storied program, both academically and athletically,” Domingue said. “I’m really excited to get there and start training and getting to know everyone. Coach Strong is great and seems like a player’s coach. I think it will be an awesome time playing for him.”

Photo courtesy UT Athletics

Tags: Charlie Strong, kicking, nick rose, trent domingue