After a lone season in Austin, Texas Longhorns kicker Mason Shipley is gearing up for a shot at the National Football League after the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. Brought in as an experienced place kicker, Shipley connected on 20-of-24 (83.3 percent) field goals and all 48 extra-point attempts for the Longhorns.
SEC Special Teams POTW: @MasonShipley1 🤘 pic.twitter.com/fRqGbCcOsq
Shipley finished the 2025 campaign on a particularly positive note, making six straight field goals over the final four games including a 51-yard bomb in the fourth quarter of the victory against Michigan.
Mason Shipley extends the lead to 14 with the 51-yard field goal!!! pic.twitter.com/vrlpffvvGh
Shipley was a key contributor in the Longhorns’ 16-13 victory over Kentucky this past season — he was responsible for all nine of Texas’ points in the second half. Shipley nailed a 53-yarder in the third quarter before connecting once again with 39 seconds left in the game. His final kick was a game winner in overtime to secure a victory for the Longhorns.
Before handling place kicking duties in Austin, Shipley spent three seasons at Texas State. In two years as a starter, Shipley shined, making 15-of-15 field goals as a sophomore and 15-of-19 attempts as a junior.
Perhaps the highlight of his entire career, Shipley booted a 60-yarder in 2024 which set a program and Sun Belt Conference record. In the growing age of extreme distance kickers, Shipley possesses the leg to fit right in.
Former Texas State kicker Mason Shipley getting ready to perform in from of a bevy of NFL scouts at Texas’ Pro Day. pic.twitter.com/umTew2PQ7Y
With verified experience from multiple programs along with his leg strength and consistency, Shipley has the potential to continue his career in the NFL. While not officially awarded an NFL Combine invite, Shipley was one of 10 kickers granted an opportunity to showcase his skills during the special teams showcase.
He used that opportunity to his advantage. According to NFL contributor Chad Reuters, “Shipley didn’t miss when his (combine team) needed him down the stretch.” Reuters also added that he “expects kicker-hungry teams to call Shipley during the draft to secure his services as a free agent.”
As he looks to the future, NFL teams will be impressed with his consistency and power, two attributes that position him well to continue his football career.