Tennessee's new kicker Cooper Ranvier relies on faith, tattoos and golf to handle pressure
Transfer kicker Cooper Ranvier joins the Vols with a tattooed leg full of scripture and uses golf and mental rituals to stay calm for big field-goal attempts.
Cooper Ranvier, a 6-foot-2, 199-pound former Louisville kicker, entered Tennessee via the transfer portal after converting 21 of 25 attempts last season. He supplants Max Gilbert, whose high-pressure misses led to a transfer to Arkansas. Ranvier’s preparation includes competing in amateur golf tournaments, a hobby he says simulates pressure and steadies his mind.
After a missed kick he walks the field, gathers debris and discards it as a mental reset. His right leg is covered in biblical verses, a baptism scene and Roman numerals marking his 2023 baptism, reflecting his reliance on faith. Special-teams coordinator Evan Crabtree notes Ranvier’s background as a high-school receiver gives him a unique on-field perspective. Tennessee’s 2026 campaign begins with a Sept. 5 matchup against Furman at Neyland Stadium.
Why it matters
Ranvier’s unique mental approach and faith-based tattoos highlight how personal rituals shape performance in high-pressure college football.
In this story
