Mike Ekeler likes Tennessee’s special teams; introducing the athletic Jackson Ross
Since Josh Heupel arrived on the scene Tennessee—deservedly so—has been known for its high octane offense. It doesn’t generate the same kind of headlines, but the Vols’ special teams under Heupel have also been largely excellent.
Mike Ekeler, who also coaches outside linebackers, has served as the special teams coordinator for the last two years. Under Ekeler Tennessee has generally been very good in all aspects of the kicking game from returns, to coverage units to making big kicks.
This fall Ekeler is breaking in some new pieces in the kicking game. Paxton Brooks has vacated the punter’s job after four years in that role and he’ll be replaced by Australian import Jackson Ross.
Ross is a great story. He played Australian rules football professionally in his home country before heading to Tennessee last year where he took a redshirt year behind Brooks.
Ross’ only responsibility this fall will be handling the punting duties for the Vols, but Ekeler enjoys pointing out that athletically Ross is one of the more impressive guys on the roster.
“Rossy is a special dude. I think he’s extremely comfortable, but he works his tail off. The guy is a pro,” Ekeler said of Ross. “What people don’t understand about Jackson Ross, when he was 15 years old he was the No. 2 tennis player in the whole country of Australia.
“The guy is a phenomenal athlete. This summer, we timed him running, he’s in the 4.5s. I kid you not I think he could be a starting wide receiver or us. He might look like an accountant or something, but the guy is uber athletic.”
Ekler noted that Ross’ athleticism also extended to his arm talent.
“He claims he has the third strongest arm on this team behind Joe and Nico,” Ekler joked. “But for me, since he signs my paychecks, I’ll say he’s the fourth behind Heup also. The guy can sling it. He’s pretty special.”
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Last fall it took Dee Williams a minute to make an impression. The junior college transfer was limited by injuries in fall camp and didn’t really see the field for the first month of the season.
Tennessee fans got their introduction to Williams when he returned the first punt he touched 58 yards to set up a touchdown in the Vols’ 40-13 romp over LSU in Baton Rouge last fall.
Williams spent the rest of 2022 proving that first return was no fluke. He ended up averaging 18.3 yards per return on 15 attempts with one touchdown.
Ekeler is looking for more of the same out of Williams this fall.
“He is confident, he understands his role. He’s gonna (have) an opportunity to be the best return guy in the country and he’s earned that,” Ekeler said of Williams. “He’s got the instinct, he’s got the ability.
“It’s like on offense when you’ve got a great running back, your offensive line blocks a little bit harder. They know all they gotta do is just give you a crease. And that’s what those guys understand on our return units. All they gotta do is let them get it started and you’ll do the rest. I mean the guy, he’s a real one.”
DEE WILLIAMS IS ‘A REAL ONE’
Last fall it took Dee Williams a minute to make an impression. The junior college transfer was limited by injuries in fall camp and didn’t really see the field for the first month of the season.
Tennessee fans got their introduction to Williams when he returned the first punt he touched 58 yards to set up a touchdown in the Vols’ 40-13 romp over LSU in Baton Rouge last fall.
Williams spent the rest of 2022 proving that first return was no fluke. He ended up averaging 18.3 yards per return on 15 attempts with one touchdown.
Ekeler is looking for more of the same out of Williams this fall.
“He is confident, he understands his role. He’s gonna (have) an opportunity to be the best return guy in the country and he’s earned that,” Ekeler said of Williams. “He’s got the instinct, he’s got the ability.
“It’s like on offense when you’ve got a great running back, your offensive line blocks a little bit harder. They know all they gotta do is just give you a crease. And that’s what those guys understand on our return units. All they gotta do is let them get it started and you’ll do the rest. I mean the guy, he’s a real one.”
MAKING YOUR MARK
Tennessee’s coverage units have been excellent or the most part since Ekeler has been in charge. Last fall Tennessee allowed just 2.5 yards per punt return and only 17.5 yards per kickoff return.
In the last two years it’s become apparent that excelling on special teams can be a pathway to a more full time role.
Tamarion McDonald is one example of a young player who excelled on special teams and built on that to earn a starting job.
It’s to the point now where guys are clamoring to get on special teams, which is a good problem for Ekeler to have.
“It’s pretty simple, it makes you a complete football player,” Ekeler said of playing on special teams. “If you have any aspiration of going on to the NFL you might like to become a surgeon on special teams. Our guys understand that and they see it. Like today for example, we showed clips of P (Princeton) Fant on kickoff return for the Cowboys. Yesterday we were showing P Fant on kickoff.
“We show those guys every single week. Last week we showed Tillman on punt return. Did those guys play that while they were here? No, but did they train and learn the skills that are transferrable not only to their position, but also get them prepared to play on Sunday. They understand that, and let me tell you we’ve got guys fighting for damn spots on teams.”
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