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Huskies Wire
New Washington Kicker Robles Capable, Confident in Handling Dual Roles
- Story byHuskies Wire
- New Washington Kicker Robles Capable, Confident in Handling Dual Roles
Over the past three seasons at USC and Texas State, junior Tyler Robles has proven to be one of the most effective place kickers in college football.
Now, with the wind coming off the shores of Lake Washington, the second-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2025 is ready to give Washington an added kick this fall.
"It's very different," Robles said of the contrast between his new surroundings and what he experienced in San Marcos and Los Angeles. "I had a great time there. I love Seattle, though. I was very familiar with the area before I came here, which made it easy to make that transition. I left Seattle during the break and did a lot of hiking, stuff outside, went to the UFC event at Climate Pledge. It's a great area. [I'm] happy to be here. It's an honor."
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The 5-foot-7, 178-pound Encinitas, California native led the Bobcats in scoring last season (116 points) with 21-of-23 field goals made, all but one of his 54 extra points converted, which put Robles atop the TSU all-time points list in a single season and eighth in the country, 27 more points than senior Grady Gross put up in 2025.
UW special teams coordinator Chris Petrilli made significant strides in his first season with the program in 2025, coaching the unit to multiple touchdown returns -- a 78-yard punt return against UC Davis by Denzel Boston and a 59-yard fumble return for a score on a botched fake field goal attempt at UCLA by Alex McLaughlin -- while improving most of the overall numbers, but still there is room for more improvement.
That's where Robles comes in.
Petrilli stated during his Monday press conference before the start of spring camp that UW head coach Jedd Fisch has given him the entire roster to use on the core four special teams units, but that having the resources to "bring in one of the best kickers that was available" is an added bonus he hasn't had at other previous stops.
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However, with only one long snapper presently on the roster and participating in practice, the second-year Husky assistant would prefer to spread the wealth of opportunities out among the specialists, which would have Robles be the primary kicker handling field goals and extra points, with Eastern Washington transfer Hunter McKee and freshman C.J. Wallace vying for kickoff duties.
"I would love for it to be two separate guys just so it gives them something to focus on and keeps legs fresh," Petrilli said. "But again, it just goes back to if one guy does it the best and he does both, then heck yeah--let's roll with that guy."
Prior to Fisch's arrival at UW in January 2024, the program had back-to-back seasons with a kicker finishing scoring in the top 15 in the country, with Peyton Henry ranking 14th in the nation with 115 points, and Gross tied for 13th with 117 points when the Huskies made their run to the national championship game in 2023 against Michigan.
With the addition of Robles—who could get redemption against the Trojans when the Huskies travel to face Lincoln Riley's team in the Coliseum on October 3—the unit should be back in the top 20 in scoring by a specialist, which will help the offense and ideally provide another win or two this fall.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington Transfer Addition Tyler Robles Competing to Be Primary K
