Joe Doyle was willing to take any opportunity to wear a Tennessee uniform.

The former All-American punter and kicker for Farragut High School had scholarship offers from San Diego State and several FCS schools, but he found UT’s preferred walk-on offer more enticing.

“I grew up in Knoxville. This has always kind of been the dream for me,” said Doyle, the Vols’ redshirt freshman punter, “and I was willing to do whatever to represent Tennessee and play.”

Doyle has smoothly replaced Trevor Daniel, Tennessee's starting punter the past three seasons who is now punting for the Houston Texans.

Doyle is averaging 40.6 yards per punt. He hasn’t had any shanks, and he’s effectively pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line and limited return opportunities.

How Joe Doyle became the punter on the doorstep

Alayna Robinson deserves a finder’s fee.

She brought Doyle, her friend, to her father’s doorstep – literally – when Doyle was in eighth grade.

“First time I met him, she had him out in my front yard punting,” Gerald Robinson said.

Robinson coaches Farragut’s specialists and runs an offseason program that any area specialist can attend. He’s been working with punters and kickers since 1980.

His first impression of Doyle as he watched him punt in his front yard?

“I thought, ‘There ain’t no way,’” Robinson said. “But Joe is very athletic, and he listens, and he’s very coachable, and he caught on really fast.”

Doyle became Farragut’s starter as a freshman. In his senior year, Farragut won the Class 5A state championship.

Doyle saw himself as a punter first and foremost, but he also handled kicking duties. His fourth-quarter field goal gave Farragut its first lead, 38-35, in the championship game against Independence. Farragut won 45-35.

“That was a big momentum swing. It really was,” Farragut coach Eddie Courtney said of Doyle’s field goal. “It just kind of ignited our kids.”

Doyle’s field goal was a 42-yarder. It would have been good from a lot farther.

“He drilled that kick,” Robinson said. “There was no doubt.”

A hard worker with a sense of humor

Those who know Doyle commend his work ethic, but he’s laid-back, too. That comes in handy when punting in front of a full stadium.

“He can take things in stride. Pressure never bothers him,” Courtney said. “He’s kind of loose about things, relaxed, but he’s serious about his work habits.”

He’s also up for a laugh.

Robinson recalls a workout during Doyle’s junior year of high school. Robinson put his pupils through a weight-lifting circuit after they kicked. One day, Doyle told Robinson that he’d finished his circuit and asked if he could go home.

Sure, Robinson told Doyle, if you’re finished, you can go home – or you can stay and work some more and get better.

“Don’t you want to get better, Joe?” Robinson asked.

“Yeah. Yeah, I want to get better,” Doyle replied.

Then he looked at Robinson and added: “Tomorrow.” And he turned and walked out.

Robinson enjoyed the exchange so much he had T-shirts made for his special-teams group. They read: “I want to get better … tomorrow.”

“He’s really quiet and reserved until you get to know him,” Robinson said, “but once you get to know him, he’s hilarious.”

It’s not just about distance

Robinson’s punters learn the importance of limiting return opportunities.

“I’m big on: If they don’t return it, they can’t score, and we’re going to put our defense in the best possible position,” Robinson said.

Doyle applies that mantra.

Opponents have returned three of Doyle’s 18 punts. Those returns yielded negative-5 yards. Nine of his punts have pinned opponents inside the 20, and he’s kicked just two touchbacks.

Doyle admits he felt some nerves early on before settling in. The speed of the game and the crowd noise are among the differences he’s noticed in college compared to high school. But there’s one more: the size of the players.

“When you first get on the field, there’s guys that are hovering over you,” Doyle said, “and you’re like, ‘Whoa, I’m in a college game now.’ It’s a lot different, but it’s been a lot of fun.”

Tennessee has a rich punting tradition. NFL punters Daniel, Michael Palardy, Britton Colquitt and Dustin Colquitt are former Vols.

The Colquitts, Knoxville natives who attended Bearden, played soccer against Doyle’s older brothers.

“I’ve known the Colquitts for a while, or know of their name. It’s always kind of been my dream to be like them, to play like them,” Doyle said. “I’m happy to make Knoxville proud.”

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