Despite slow start, Mike Ekeler knows Tennessee punter Jackson Ross is 'gonna be a damn weapon'

Mike Ekeler stood in front of the Knoxville Quarterback Club on Monday and took the blame for  the slow start to the season that new Tennessee punter Jackson Ross had in the 49-13 win over Virginia on September 2 in Nashville.

“First game, I screwed it up, that’s on me,” Ekeler, Tennessee’s special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach, told the crowd. “I don’t point a finger, I point a thumb, and that’s on me.”

And then he asked for patience. All is not lost for Ross, who played Australian Rules Football professionally for three years, before moving from Melbourne to the United States after signing with the Vols in June 2022.

“That guy, you just wait,” Ekeler said. “I mean, the other day (against Austin Peay) he had four kicks, averaged 43 yards … that guy is special and you gotta see it. You haven’t seen it yet.” 

‘It’s the body of work at the end of the day’

The first punt of the season for Ross has been the shortest to date, covering just 17 yards against Virginia at Nissan Stadium. He bounced back with a 44-yarder on his next attempt, then went for just 27 yards on his third punt. He had kicks of 41 and 50 yards later in the game.

On Saturday, in Tennessee’s 30-13 win over Austin Peay, Ross saw his first punt go just 30 yards. He responded with a 49-yarder, then boots of 45 and 48.

“In special teams, we look up at the end of the year,” Ekeler said. “When we look up at the end of the year, you’re gonna be excited when you see his body of work. You don’t judge it on one punt here or there. It’s the body of work at the end of the day.”

Ross was on the Tennessee roster last season, waiting his turn behind Paxton Brooks, who averaged 42.3 yards on 163 punts over the last five years. 

“I think being here last season, just sort of taking a back seat was huge for me to learn about the game, understand (punting),” Ross said at the time. “And it’s been great transitioning into this season being the number one punter and focusing the game, on myself and being able to adapt to all that and feel rushes at practice and stuff like that. So I think it’s probably a great step piece this year.”

Up Next: No. 11 Tennessee at Florida, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

Ross is far from a traditional punter. He rolls a few steps either to the right or left after getting the snap, with the ability to then kick with either foot depending on the direction he goes. 

The 49-yard punt Ross had in the first quarter against Austin Peay was fumbled and recovered by Tennessee defensive back Warren Burrell.  

“I think it’s effective,” Burrell said of the rugby style Ross uses on his punts, “because we have the best punter in the country, Jackson Ross. That guy is crazy. He can put the ball anywhere. 

“I know y’all hear ‘Ek’ talk about him. He’s not joking. It’s him, man. He puts it in a great spot. We just do what we’re taught to do and good things happen when you do what you’re supposed to do.”

“If you haven’t noticed,” Ekeler added, ” … once he gets going, I really truly don’t know which foot he’s better with. He’s pretty special to be able to go out and roll out his right and kick it wherever he wants it to and roll out to his left.”

What Ekeler does know is the best is yet to come.

“It’s pretty special,” he said. “When he gets settled in, I promise you this, that guy’s gonna be a damn weapon for us. He’s impressive.”