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Ingham wants to be UT's special weapon

By Josh Ward (Contact)
Originally published 09:24 p.m., April 24, 2008
Updated 09:24 p.m., April 24, 2008

Ethan Ingham plans to be a special teams weapon for Tennessee this fall.

Ingham, a senior kicker from Gallatin High School, said he plans to play football for the Vols in the fall as a preferred walk-on.

Ingham said he won't receive a football scholarship immediately at UT, but he will have the opportunity to earn one based on performance.

Ingham said he will be aided financially by the lottery HOPE scholarship and a discount he receives courtesy of his mother being a public school teacher in the state of Tennessee.

Ingham said UT coach Phillip Fulmer offered him a spot on the team before the Orange and White game on Saturday.

Ingham said Fulmer wants him to work this summer on earning kickoff duties this fall.

"I feel like I can," Ingham said. "I know I'm going to put the effort in to doing it. That all comes down to the coaches' decision based off performance come August."

Ingham performed well in kickoffs last fall.

Of his 39 kickoff attempts, 36 went for touchbacks.

Ingham said he can be a weapon for UT if he's able to consistently send his kickoffs into the end zone.

"It's going to motivate me to do that much better to help the team out," said Ingham, who made nine of 14 field-goal attempts and 21 of 22 extra points as a senior.

UT's interest in Ingham was sparked by former Vol kicker James Wilhoit, who had seen Ingham kick during summer camps and again last fall at a game between Gallatin and Hendersonville, Wilhoit's alma mater.

Ingham said Wilhoit met with Fulmer last week to encourage UT's coach to give Ingham a stronger look.

"Wilhoit got his attention and talked about me and said I was a serious prospect," Ingham said. "Coach Fulmer knew then that was more incentive to have me come down."

Another incentive for Fulmer was the absence of senior punter Britton Colquitt, who will miss UT's first five games due to suspension.

The suspension of Colquitt, who would normally handle kickoff duties, left an open spot for Ingham.

"Those are big shoes to fill," Ingham said of Colquitt. "He's really good at what he does."

Ingham said he was planning to attend Louisville as a preferred walk-on before the Vols came calling.

Ingham said his decision was easy once Fulmer offered him an opportunity at UT.

"Just coming up there is a great honor and privilege," Ingham said. "I would have taken anything they offered. I'm really looking forward to it."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       86 Comments

Posted by WD40plusVol on April 24, 2008 at 9:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I haven't been to a HS game in TN for nigh on twenty years. Where is the KO line now for HS? The 40, 35 or 30?

Posted by samjrr on April 24, 2008 at 9:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

36 of 39, sounds good.

Posted by yemmusdarb on April 24, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Isn't the high-school kick off line 5-10 yards closer than college now though???? I mean, he's a walk-on kicker and he's got an entire article here. I wonder if USC, Florida, Ohio State, or Texas have articles like this on their sites???

Posted by lempga on April 24, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It was written by Donkey Adams.

Posted by lempga on April 24, 2008 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ethan, welcome to the Vol Nation. GO Big Orange.

Posted by coach75 on April 24, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the kickoff line is only 5 yards closer. if he put 36 0f 39 into the end sone that is pretty good but also keep in mind that in hs in tn you cannot return a kick that enters the end zone. a ridiculous rule.

Posted by mparker on April 24, 2008 at 11:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gallatin used to be one of the best-run programs in the state. I'm guessing it still is???

Posted by mparker on April 24, 2008 at 11:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

brad:
I kinda like these articles. Remember tha Jajuan was an invited walkon too.

Britton is a heckuva talent, I hope he can learn to dodge the bad stuff.

Posted by D1AStarters on April 24, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a joke Wilhoit. Phil is listening to James Wilhoit now? Please. This is a joke, right? Hey I know of some good football players in my hometown too Phil. I think that is the prob. with Tenn. football right now. Phil puts personal favorites on the scout teams. Instead of decent one or two star athletes like UF, Auburn, LSU. Lets stop putting the local boys on the scout teams and continue to pursue the one and two star athletes that we give up on. Hell, a one or two star kid from Tennessee would prob. rather play on the Vol scout team for a couple of years as opposed to playing at Vandy!! Give em' a chance Fulmer.

Posted by newtonrail on April 25, 2008 at 12:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Say hey Jose, you don't think Wilhoit, with all his experience knows good kickers when he sees them? Save us from all the "experts".

Posted by sjt18 on April 25, 2008 at 1:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

FWIW, many D1 schools almost never offer kicking scholarships.

He's a local kid getting a nice opportunity and yet the usual suspects aren't happy about this either. Typical.

Posted by givehim6 on April 25, 2008 at 3:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hay Brad, would it be terrible to lose a starting job thanks to the bottle, if this kid turns out to be the real deal. Just somethink to think about next time you reach for a cold one.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 25, 2008 at 5:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Looks like a good move given the Colquitt situation. Highly rated or not, this kid has a leg to kick that many into the end zone even given the 5 yard shorter distance. And Wilhoit is going to know more about the talent of a kicker than Fulmer. Welcome Ethan!

Posted by T0MMYJACK on April 25, 2008 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hey sjt18, let's take a look at Packaway's recruiting web site to see who HE thinks deserves a look!

Have a friiter, pack. You're in the club. Post a couple of YouTube url's and you'll be a legend among those who consider themselves "the cognoscenti".

Posted by pdhuff on April 25, 2008 at 6:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

General -5:08- No one knows more than Fulmer. That said, Budweiser has opened the door for this young man. LOL

Posted by GreerVol22 on April 25, 2008 at 7:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like we need to be recruiting in Brazil and Argentina. Gooooooooooooooooooooooooal !!!!!

Posted by bigbluevol on April 25, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Kickoff is from the 4o in high school. It's actually 10 yards different since they moved the college kickoff back to the 30. However, there's no way to know how deep into the endzone he kicked the ball. This is a good story. It costs UT nothing (no scholarship) and if it works out it will be a great thing for him and the team. It's low risk with potential for high reward.

Posted by orange4ever on April 25, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This kid deserves a chance.Now go out and earn that scholarship.
Go Vols

Posted by 55Vol on April 25, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Another point... how many of you got stronger from your senior year in HS to say 21? It is not just about this fall, it also about 2-3 years from now and how he might develop his leg to continue to kick non-returnable kicks. Wilhoit knows kicking , proven fact. Now Packaway, we are sure he knows how to sign on to this website.

Posted by seaplane on April 25, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The kick-off is a very important part of the game. I can remember last year, when Colquitt was hurt, the ball was only going to the 10 yard line and they were running it back to the 40. That put us in a big hole to start with. We need a boomer to get it in the end zone.

Posted by volroadwarrior on April 25, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Negative Nellies like Packaway will always be there. He is an expert couch potato that knows more than the coaches. If this kid and many others have to compete for a spot on the team, and succeed, that will be a real plus. Good luck Ethan. We love having you with us.

Posted by Ashley on April 25, 2008 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

129 days till Football time In Tennessee!!!!!!!

Posted by highlanderinc on April 25, 2008 at 8:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You Can't return a High School Kick Off that makes the end zone in Florida either. So I guess that makes two rid1culous states according to Coach 75

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 25, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Come on Ethan! (a good name, anybody seen The Searchers? "somebody's fiddle").

Posted by hglover40 on April 25, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

How can anyone find a negative thing to say about this article? I guess we can always count on the sun coming up each morning and the negativity of some "fans" on this site. PATHETIC!

Posted by Greyback_Vol on April 25, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I really hope this kid is as good as advertised and can step in a fill a big void on the Vols' special teams this year. Yes, the kickoffs are a little shorter in high school, so I'm not fully sold on this kid just yet. I wish for the best, because right now UT doesn't have a kicker that can get it past the 5 yard line.

Posted by UTvols12342000 on April 25, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I am so glad that people gave me chances growing up and let me prove myself. You people are pathetic for any negative remarks about this kid.

Just kick son. train and kick and get your degree. let no one tell you "no" or "sorry" or "can't" etc screw the non believers.

straight from holland
J

Posted by alfrizzle097 on April 25, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Britton obviously has an alcohol problem that goes beyond hanging out with the wrong people. If that weren't the case he wouldn't still be with the team. Instead of making fun of him, you should be encouraging him to get his life together. It is clear to me that he has been trying and coming up short. Instead of piling it on, lay off. He doesn't need any more crap in his life than he already has; I know I don't.

Posted by BOASoldier on April 25, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This kid is a walk on ... oh my!!! I mean you know everyone that posts on this bored (misspell intended) was all SEC in at least 3 sports.(sarcasm in case you couldn't tell) Half you people that are complaining on this site couldn't even walk on to a shuffle board team.... so quit whining. This is a void that needs to be filled and a young man that is willing to try. and YAY MUSDARD, ( "I wonder if USC, Florida, Ohio State, or Texas have articles like this on their sites???") who cares..... what does that matter. Post on the BBall threads and shut up.. Please... see I said PLEASE

Posted by agentorange on April 25, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

gallatin guys are a'ight. pretty good looking chicks walking around in that area too.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I just hope this young man is ready for our beloved Coach Fulmer to yell at him, throw stuff at him while he is kicking, and then be prepared to run if he misses a kick in practice.

Posted by thesavageorange on April 25, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think Gallatin is still coached by Robert Lassiter.He was a position coach where I graduated HS before getting the Gallatin job.They have a good program, but are not the state power they were in the 70's and 80's.

This is a good thing.It's another thing that helps the defense.It's alot more difficult to go 80yds than 55-60, and get points.I heard alot of the touchbacks this kid had were out of the back of the end zone.Thanks Wilhoit!I'll always remember the 3 against UF.

Posted by cjraney on April 25, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't care what type articles USC, Texas, UF, and Ohio St. have on their boards.

Tennessee kid wanting to do his best to help the Vols....sounds good to me. Give your all for Tennessee kid.

Posted by LadyVolsEighTimes on April 25, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It would be nice if we had a mens Soccer team. Put the kickers on Soccer Schollies, the holders as well, maybe even the Gunners.

Free up some Football schollies, and have a decent reserve pool of kickers.

I'm sure folks will scream when I say this, but I wouldn't be adverse to even have a female kicker dedicated to PATs.

Posted by cjraney on April 25, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

sjt18-That's why they are the "usual suspects."

Posted by LR_Vol on April 25, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thesavageorange, I believe Lassiter is still there. Since Coach Short went to Portland in the mid 90's, Gallatin has been sub-par. Just wish we could pull another Thomas D Woods from there....

Posted by orangebloodgmc on April 25, 2008 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen, LadyVolsEigh'Times. That would make a lot of sense. Go Vols, (men and ladies, round balls and pointy)!

Posted by juicetke on April 25, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thesavageorange, Robert Lassiter was actually my head coach at Hendersonville High School before going to Gallatin.

Me being from Hendersonville it will be hard to root for a Gallatin boy. I will do my best though.

Posted by 55Vol on April 25, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WorkinLikeHeck.... Fulmer owns you

Posted by thesavageorange on April 25, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LR_Vol,No doubt!

juicetke, I forgot he coached in Hendersonville.I actually went to White House.Well, atleast Gallatin isn't Beech.lol!

Posted by Ashley on April 25, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Never fear, the forum DA is here.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 2:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ashley, you shouldn't refer to yourself that way each time you start commenting on an article. I'm all for self-deprecating humor, but you take it a little far in my opinion in announcing to everyone else that you are here.

Posted by 55Vol on April 25, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WorkinLikeHeck.... you.

Posted by Ashley on April 25, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ok, I'll take the bait. There is not one single spot on the field of play that I would ever want a female filling.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

55Vol, who owns me?

Posted by 55Vol on April 25, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WorkinLikeHeck......let's spell it for you..
F-U-L-M-E-R o-w-n-s Y-O-U.

Posted by LargeOrange on April 25, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Everyone owns you Mary. Back under the bridge, no more feeding the troll.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LargeOrange, has LadyVolsEighTimes told you that you could take your dunce cap off? Speaking of owned, she pretty pretty much flushed you down the toilet on the Geno Auriemma article. Thought you'd try to save some face by disappearing for a few days before you posted again.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I see LargeOrange is already back to the username variation comments. Pretty weak if you ask me but that's probably an accurate description of it thus far.

Posted by juicetke on April 25, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good point thesavageorange. He wasn't inbred enough to coach at Beech.

Posted by Ashley on April 25, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dam, I knew that DA would eventually take my bait. Have you noticed that know one else has responded to that comment yesterday or today? You just couldn't stand me calling you a DA anymore could you? You are such the fool workin.

Posted by Ashley on April 25, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Workinlikeheck you little coward POS. Workin took cover in the Geno article yesterday and as par for his course he through another one of his classless Fulmer slaps. Ladyvol8 decided to ride workins wagon yesterday and now they are good forum buddies.

Posted by LargeOrange on April 25, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WorkinLike... Are you still trying to hide behind your sisters skirt? So you want a user name variation, ok how this: "JerkinLikeHeck" I would say that is a more accurate description of you.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bait? I just don't understand why feel the need to announce you are here. You did this yesterday as well? If you think I'm little than you must be one of those rough tough mountain girls. No thanks, I don't liken wo-men that are the size of offensive lineman.

LargeOrange is running out of material already and is using weak and lame insult attempts which pretty much describe his life.

Posted by LargeOrange on April 25, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Enjoy your flush Jerkin... I have a life to get back to, but you keep trying.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LargeOrange, keep telling yourself that and you might believe it one day.

Posted by 55Vol on April 25, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I just hope this young man is ready for our beloved Coach Fulmer to yell at him, throw stuff at him while he is kicking, and then be prepared to run if he misses a kick in practice.

You know who... Fulmer, the name you used in YOUR post. Fulmer owns you.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

He owns me because I used his name in one of my posts? Nice logic there. So, do I now own all of the people that are addressing me in their posts? LOL!!!!!!!

Hope you don't have to make any decisions for yourself or others in every day life.

Posted by juicetke on April 25, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why do article comments always end in personal attacks on people? Have we no respect for each other anymore? Just because we don't know or aren't face to face with each other is no reason treat each other with such disrespect.

Posted by Ashley on April 25, 2008 at 3:40 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'll go ahead and take credit for NOT starting the name calling or personal attacks yet again. But hey, I'm the bad guy.

Posted by Ashley on April 25, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't forget you're not only a bad guy but a DA as well.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

At least I'm not aka "thunder thighs".

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ashley seems to take my bait (worm) very well. She responds and makes posts about me all the time, especially after I post. It'd be more flattering if you were hot though.

Posted by 55Vol on April 25, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Workin...he owns you because you cannot resist the urge to take a swipe at him. Most doctors call it "obsession". Heck, he might even be your brother... word is you like KK also

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

55, again using your "logic", I guess I own all the people, including you who can not resist the urge to take swipes at me.

Again, I hope you don't have to make any decisions for yourself or others in every day life. Next.

Posted by BOASoldier on April 25, 2008 at 4:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

SAD TRULY SAD>>>>> Wish the season was here already.

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All of this carnage from this post?

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I just hope this young man is ready for our beloved Coach Fulmer to yell at him, throw stuff at him while he is kicking, and then be prepared to run if he misses a kick in practice.

****For the record, our beloved Coach Fulmer did these things to Lincoln last year and it seemed to work pretty well. I was just saying I hope Ingham is ready for sly Fulmer's motivation tactics for kickers. Really don't see how this could be interpreted as a swipe at our beloved Coach Fulmer. I enjoy the hate spewed my way though. Keep it up, apparently this make me own you.

Posted by Ashley on April 25, 2008 at 4:27 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by WorkinLikeHeck on April 25, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't do that...nice try though. I find it amusing and wish posts would not be removed at all.

Posted by cjraney on April 25, 2008 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If wishes were horses we'd all take a ride.

Posted by Ashley on April 25, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You're a big old brown corny t Workin.

Posted by General_Fritter on April 25, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What Ashley's not a looker? Looks more like Kingsport's goat. Dang. I thought she was hot as my fritter.

Posted by thesavageorange on April 25, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

General, come on now!Nothing is as hot as a fresh fritter.Your standards are much too high.You should shoot for a bear-claw.Then and only then will you have total success w/ the ladies.

Posted by WD40plusVol on April 25, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Change of subject.

LV8x, NCAA rules says any player on the football team can not have a scholarship for any other sport.

Posted by 55Vol on April 26, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Foolmore owns CRVol.....

Posted by pdhuff on April 26, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This post is totally lost. Off the tracks.

Posted by utmdm on April 27, 2008 at 12:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Lassiter is a past Volunteer. Highly recruited QB who hurt his shoulder during his Freshman year with Vols. Played some receiver his SR YR.

Posted by pdhuff on April 27, 2008 at 5:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

utmdm - back from sabbatical or just drifting thru the doldrums? Ex lives in Gallatin.

How green is our valley! I buy Dollar Store flower seeds for .25 a pack and some have come up along the creek after planting in 3 days.

Enjoy having people see the "wild" flowers.

UCLA worries me. Backs to the wall, but it looks like Olsen will be ready..

Posted by General_Fritter on April 28, 2008 at 12:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sucess wit THE LADIES!!!!! Why, I just hang fritters around my neck and they come licking my entire body.

pdhuff - don't worry about UCLA. I understand they have fewer naked tree people and we have Fulmer.

Posted by wjackson on April 28, 2008 at 6:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jerkinlikeheck. Ha. and we have a winner. I think that one will stick.

Posted by T0MMYJACK on April 28, 2008 at 6:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

jerkinlikeheck ... classic!

Posted by pdhuff on April 28, 2008 at 7:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gen Fritter 12:47am - Thanks for allaying my fears of UCLA (currently QB-less). You're right as usual, Phil will show them. Some remember his last foray into the land of fruit and nuts.

We'll be ready this time. No sweat!

Free TDTN.

Posted by spikevol on April 30, 2008 at 1:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

lol jerkinlikeheck... it must kill brain cells

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