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."
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Comments » 67
CoverOrange writes:
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?
dfreeman writes:
Excellent!!
samjrr writes:
36 of 39, sounds good.
MrBamSeydu writes:
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???
DroopyDrawers writes:
It was written by Donkey Adams.
DroopyDrawers writes:
Ethan, welcome to the Vol Nation. GO Big Orange.
coach75 writes:
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.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
Gallatin used to be one of the best-run programs in the state. I'm guessing it still is???
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
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.
FishTacos writes:
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.
newtonrail writes:
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".
givehim6 writes:
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.
T0MMYJACK writes:
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".
pdhuff#552644 writes:
General -5:08- No one knows more than Fulmer. That said, Budweiser has opened the door for this young man. LOL
GreerVol22 writes:
Sounds like we need to be recruiting in Brazil and Argentina. Gooooooooooooooooooooooooal !!!!!
bigbluevol writes:
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.
orange4ever writes:
This kid deserves a chance.Now go out and earn that scholarship.
Go Vols
seaplane#216536 writes:
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.
volroadwarrior writes:
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.
highlanderinc#594435 writes:
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
orangebloodgmc writes:
Come on Ethan! (a good name, anybody seen The Searchers? "somebody's fiddle").
hglover40#234154 writes:
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!
Greyback_Vol writes:
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.
UTvols12342000 writes:
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
alfrizzle097 writes:
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 phooey in his life than he already has; I know I don't.
BOASoldier writes:
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
agentorange writes:
gallatin guys are a'ight. pretty good looking chicks walking around in that area too.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
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.
thesavageorange writes:
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.
cjraney writes:
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.
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
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.
cjraney writes:
sjt18-That's why they are the "usual suspects."
LR_Vol writes:
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....
orangebloodgmc writes:
Amen, LadyVolsEigh'Times. That would make a lot of sense. Go Vols, (men and ladies, round balls and pointy)!
juicetke#226846 writes:
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.
thesavageorange writes:
LR_Vol,No doubt!
juicetke, I forgot he coached in Hendersonville.I actually went to White House.Well, atleast Gallatin isn't Beech.lol!
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
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.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
55Vol, who?
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
55Vol, who owns me?
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
who?
LargeOrange writes:
Everyone owns you Mary. Back under the bridge, no more feeding the troll.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
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.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
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.
juicetke#226846 writes:
Good point thesavageorange. He wasn't inbred enough to coach at Beech.
LargeOrange writes:
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.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
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.
LargeOrange writes:
Enjoy your flush Jerkin... I have a life to get back to, but you keep trying.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
LargeOrange, keep telling yourself that and you might believe it one day.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
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.
juicetke#226846 writes:
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.
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