A Kickoff Like No Other
When the University of Tennessee Volunteers open the 2026 season against Furman on September 5 at Neyland Stadium, all eyes will be on a newcomer who carries more than a football on his leg.
Cooper Ranvier, the former All‑ACC kicker from Louisville, replaced Max Gilbert after the latter’s inconsistency in clutch moments. His right leg is a canvas of scripture, featuring everything from the baptism of Jesus to biblical verses rendered in Roman numerals from his 2023 baptism.
Training the Mind and Body
Rather than relying on superstition alone, Ranvier has built a routine that blends the spiritual with the practical. In the offseason he spends hours on the golf course, using the sport’s inherent pressure to simulate the intensity of SEC matchups.
When a kick falls short, he does not linger on the miss. Instead, he walks behind the line of scrimmage, gathers the scattered trash from the field and takes a series of deep breaths, resetting his focus before the next attempt.
‘God’s got me. Just go kick the ball. He’s already got it planned,’ Ranvier says, a mantra that underscores his confidence as he lines up a 51‑yard attempt that he previously converted at Louisville.
Numbers That Speak
His statistical track record lends credence to the approach. At Louisville he made 21 of 25 field goals, including 6 of 7 from 40 to 49 yards and a 51‑yarder, numbers that have special teams coordinator Evan Crabtree excited about the kicker’s competitive edge.
Ranvier’s background as a high school wide receiver also informs his technique. He often lines up behind the line of scrimmage on fourth‑down plays, giving him a unique perspective that he says helps him ‘walk the path’ before striking the ball.
The upcoming schedule places his debut in the spotlight, but the kicker says the pressure only sharpens his resolve. ‘Every snap is a chance to trust in the plan,’ he adds, as the Volunteers look to translate his faith‑driven preparation into points on the board.