‘He’s talking crap’ – Josh Heupel is in love with his new kicker a year after the most heartbreaking missed FG in Vols history
The Tennessee Volunteers will have a new kicker this fall after Max Gilbert left for Arkansas.
The Tennessee Vols have experienced plenty of heartbreaking moments over the years, but there’s no doubt that Max Gilbert’s missed field goal against Georgia last season is near the top of the list.
Tennessee had a chance to beat Georgia in Knoxville, but Gilbert’s kick sailed wide right, which sent the game to overtime.
The Bulldogs ended up winning 44-41.
Gilbert transferred to Arkansas after the season, which left the Vols in search of a new kicker.
Tennessee eventually landed on Louisville transfer Cooper Ranvier, a redshirt sophomore from Lexington, KY.
Ranvier earned Third Team All-ACC honors last season at Louisville after making 21 of 25 field goal attempts.
Vols head coach Josh Heupel was asked about Ranvier on Monday during an appearance on Hutton and Withrow and he quickly made it clear that he loves the competitiveness of his new kicker.
“He’s got a competitive makeup that you love,” said Heupel. “He’s athletic. We hit field goals at the end of every practice to mimic game day game winners, and he’s a guy who was perfect at the end of practice. Game days are different, I know. I don’t expect him to be perfect, but you need to put it through the uprights when the situation arises, and he’s got a chance to be a difference maker for us.”
“He’s talking crap,” added Heupel while detailing Ranvier’s competitiveness. “When we got to the first team meeting, all the new guys got to introduce themselves and break out a little dance move. He did a backflip, showcasing his athleticism.”
The SEC is as competitive as ever — there’s a good chance that Tennessee will have a game or two that comes down to a field goal attempt. And when that scenario presents itself, the Vols need a kicker who isn’t afraid of the moment. It sounds like they’ve got that guy in Ranvier.