It’s natural to not get excited about punters. They just don’t have the panache of quarterbacks, edge rushers or skill position players. This latest specialist, however, may be a bit different than just another leg.
Jackson Ross, who committed to Tennessee on Friday via social media, comes with a bio that would make most other punter prospects blush. First, he’s 22-years old so he’s physically mature. Then, there’s his dedication to honing his craft. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound athlete from Melbourne, Australia, has been through the Prokick program program which prepares Australian rules football players to punt in the United States. Ross has trained with the same people that have mentored several Ray Guy Award winners in recent years.
The timing is perfect for Ross considering Tennessee punter Paxton Brooks is entering his senior season this fall. Tennessee linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler gets the credit for landing Ross. Ekeler has been recruiting Ross since November, according to a source.
Tennessee, which has been called Punter U, has had punters that have been weapons by flipping the field all the way back to Fuad Reveiz. David Leaverton and and a quatro of Colquitts – Craig, Jimmy, Dustin and Britton
Punters may not be exciting, but this could be a signifiant pickup for the Vols, especially in 2023.
