Syracuse’s Jack Stonehouse signs with Houston Texans as undrafted free agent
Syracuse punter Jack Stonehouse signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, Sporting News reported Saturday. Leonardo Eriman | Daily Orange File Photo
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Syracuse punter Jack Stonehouse has signed with the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent, Sporting News’ Dylan Delgatto first reported Saturday night. In the Orange’s disastrous 2025 season, Stonehouse was a rare positive, earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference First Team honors as a redshirt senior.
Stonehouse wasn’t just the ACC’s best punter in 2025. He was also one of the best in the nation. Per Pro Football Focus, he averaged 41.7 yards per punt on 60 boots, placing 15 inside the 20-yard line. His average distance ranked 21st in the country, while his average hang time of 4.29 seconds placed fourth.
Stonehouse told The Daily Orange in October that he mixed Aussie and rugby punts into his repertoire while improving his directional punting last season. The changes were introduced by then-special teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield.
His spectacular season — perpetuated by the Orange’s offensive struggles in their 3-9 campaign — wasn’t his first time earning conference recognition. After transferring to SU from Missouri before the 2023 campaign, he was an All-ACC Third Team selection and honorable mention in the ensuing two years.
In the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft, Stonehouse received interest from multiple teams, namely the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. He attended Buffalo’s pro day and met with general manager Brandon Beane. Stonehouse also had a private meeting with 49ers special teams coordinator Brant Boyer last week, NBC Sports’ Ryan Fowler reported.
Still, Stonehouse was ultimately picked up by the Texans.
His signing continues a trend of Stonehouses reaching the NFL. His father, John, signed as an undrafted free agent with the New York Giants in 1996, while his cousin, Ryan, punted for the Tennessee Titans from 2022-24.
Stonehouse will also follow in the footsteps of former Orange punter Riley Dixon, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft and has remained in the league for the last 10 seasons.
Syracuse didn’t have a single player chosen in the draft for the second time in three years. Last year, four — Oronde Gadsden II, Kyle McCord, LeQuint Allen Jr. and Fadil Diggs — were drafted. But following SU’s poor 2025 campaign, that trend reversed.
