Texas Tech football has made what appears to be its final addition to the 2025 roster, bringing in transfer from Arizona State. The move addresses a key area of concern for head coach Joey McGuire by adding depth and competition at both punter and placekicker.
Originally from Chubbuck, Idaho, began his college career at Idaho State before transferring to Arizona State, where he spent the past two seasons (redshirting in 2023). Over his career, he has connected on 14 of 23 field goal attempts (60.8%) and made 36 of 39 extra points (92.3%).
As a punter, he averaged 38.7 yards per punt in 2022 and 39.6 yards in 2023, logging a total of 72 punts to date.
After Tech’s kickers struggled during the spring game, McGuire mentioned the need to bring in someone who could handle both punting and placekicking duties—a role Hershey is now expected to fill.
Ian Hershey will enter a three-man competition for the Red Raiders’ starting kicker role this season, battling Upton Bellenfant and Stone Harrington.
Bellenfant, a transfer from Buffalo, was expected to take the lead heading into spring after earning third-team All-MAC honors last year. He converted 18 of 21 field goals and was perfect on all 31 extra-point attempts. Harrington, a junior from Colleyville, has yet to attempt a field goal for Texas Tech but has occasionally handled kickoff duties thanks to his powerful leg.
However, both Bellenfant and Harrington struggled during the spring game, raising questions about the reliability of the kicking position moving forward.
Additionally, with looming NCAA roster reductions stemming from the House Settlement, having a player who can handle both field goals and punting—like Hershey—could prove strategically valuable by saving a roster spot.
Though adding a kicker isn’t the flashiest move, it could prove to be crucial. Hershey now has a real chance to make an impact, especially with the uncertainty surrounding Tech’s current kicking options.
On Sunday, head coach Joey McGuire posted his signature Ric Flair GIF on X to signal a commitment, writing, “Roster Complete.” With Hershey being the only recent addition, it’s clear McGuire was referencing the kicker—marking Hershey as Texas Tech’s final roster move for the 2025 season. Given the team’s needs, this under-the-radar pickup might end up playing a key role.