Texas fills big hole with LSU transfer Trent Domingue
Texas filled a big hole on its roster over the weekend.
The Longhorns confirmed the addition of kicker Trent Domingue, a graduate transfer from LSU, on Sunday. Domingue announced the news on Twitter earlier in the day.
Officially a Texas Longhorn! #HookEm????????
— Trent Domingue (@TrentDomingue) July 24, 2016
Domingue was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2015, but opted to leave LSU earlier this month after his scholarship was not renewed. Domingue arrived at LSU as a walk-on in 2012 and was put on scholarship before the 2015 season.
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After Domingue announced his intent to transfer, LSU head coach Les Miles said he would have likely been able to give Domingue a scholarship for his final season, but the kicker did not want to wait.
“It was a one-year award. By way of a one-year award, we did not renew his scholarship for next (year),” Miles said per The Advocate. “Really, all I told him was to give me a few days, some time, and we’ll make this work. I could not resign him until the day before the first class, that’s just how I did it the year before.
“He never came here with a promise of grant-in-aid. He walked on. He competed, did what he was supposed to do and he earned a grant. I told him, ‘If we’re in a position where we have a grant, it’s going to be yours.’ He just didn’t want to give me time to do that.”
Miles’ loss becomes UT coach Charlie Strong’s gain. Domingue, who graduated from LSU in the spring, hit 13-of-17 field goal attempts and was 49-of-50 on extra points in 2015. He connected on his first 10 attempts of the season and had a long of 45 yards. He also scored a touchdown on a fake field goal against Florida.
“We’re obviously thrilled that Trent decided to join our program,” Strong said. “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. He’ll be a strong leader on our special teams, and we look forward to getting him on campus.”
Domingue first saw the field for LSU in 2014 as a kickoff specialist before emerging as the team’s top kicker late in the season.
“I’ve always known that Texas has been a pretty storied program, both academically and athletically,” Domingue said. “I knew (defensive line) coach Brick (Haley) from LSU, and he’s a big reason why I had interest in Texas initially. I’m really excited to get there and start training and getting to know everyone. Coach Strong is great and seems like a players coach. I think it will be an awesome time playing for him.”
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Domingue likely slides into the starting role vacated by Nick Rose, who graduated and will participate in training camp with the Atlanta Falcons. The only other kickers on UT’s roster are inexperienced walk-ons Evan Moore and Jon Coppens. Punter Mitchell Becker also saw action as a kicker during the Longhorns’ spring game, missing a 46-yard attempt. Needless to say, the addition of Domingue is a big one for Strong.
Once he arrives on campus in Austin, Domingue said he plans to enter UT’s graduate program in advertising.
“I want to thank LSU for giving me the last four years, some of the best of my life,” Domingue said. “Unfortunately it didn’t work out, but that’s life. I’ve just got to keep going, and I’ve found a great home, so I’m excited.”
For more Texas news, visit Orangebloods.com.
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
