Ethan Pulliam living the dream with Bulldogs

There is a small percentage of young kids around the country that truly get to live their athletic dreams out like Ethan Pulliam.

Growing up in the shadows of Davis Wade Stadium and Dudy Noble Field, Pulliam dreamt of one day playing for the Bulldogs. He was a star of several different sports at Starkville High School and earned his way into opportunities both with the Diamond Dawgs and the Bulldog football team.

Now the starting punter for State as a second-year player, Pulliam never takes a day for granted.

“It means a lot with me living here and growing up all my life. Kind of seeing everything from the ground up with who has all been here. Not just the punters, but players like Nick Fitzgerald and Tyler Russell. Just growing up and hearing those names and me being in this position now has always been my dream as a kid,” Pulliam said.

“For one, I feel like it’s a blessing from the Man above. Without Him, I don’t think it would be possible. Two, my coaches trusting me all throughout camp and during the season, it shows that they trust me to go out there and execute whatever call we do. It’s a really great opportunity, so I enjoy the most of it.”

Pulliam has immense natural talent

What Pulliam does with the left foot is special but he’s still somehow just a few years into it. Pulliam first put the leg to use as a soccer player growing up and it wasn’t until his high school days that he would take to the gridiron.

One of Pulliam’s high school coaches encouraged him to go out for the football team after seeing him in a punt, pass and kick competition. Pulliam helped his Yellow Jacket team to a state championship win as a senior and  became one of the best punters in the country. In 2022, Pulliam had 38 punts for 45.8 yards per punt, 14 of which were downed inside the 20. He also had a long of 71 yards that season.

After signing on to play both baseball and football with the Bulldogs out of high school, Pulliam would take his freshman year off from the football field and made his impact with Chris Lemonis’ and the Diamond Dawgs. He was set to straddle both last year, but he would leave the baseball team in the spring to focus all his efforts on being a punter.

That decision may end up being the best decision Pulliam has ever made as the 6’1, 190-pounder has emerged as one of the best in the league as a sophomore. After splitting time with Nathan Tyice at the position, Pulliam has fully taken over and has 21 punts for a 47.0 average with nine punts of 50 or more yards, seven downed inside the 20 and a long of 67. He’s closing in on having enough punts to qualify for rankings within the league, but would currently be second in the SEC in yards per punt.

“He’s done a great job hitting the ball and flipping the field, giving us the chance to put the defense in a really good position,” coach Jeff Lebby said. “I am proud of our special teams, the way we’ve played. We had one week where it was messy but man, we have rebounded the right way. We have to continue that trend and that’s going to be important for us.”

Pulliam still has thoughts on Diamond Dawgs

Pulliam still thinks fondly of his time at baseball as well. He mentioned that his schedule has freed up tremendously, but balancing both sports was never an issue for him as he likes staying busy.

During his 34 games with the Diamond Dawgs, Pulliam started in 21 contests and had 17 hits with five doubles, one triple, one home run and 11 RBI. He has remained fairly locked in on the happenings across the parking lot at DNF.

“I’ve kept in contact with all of the baseball guys that stayed like Noah (Sullivan), Reed (Stallman), Gatlin (Sanders), Gehrig Frei – the handful of guys that came in last year that I built a great relationship with. A lot of the new guys I’ve met and talked to outside of the facility whether it’s going to class or eating dinner. (Brian) O’Connor is a great guy and all about business. They’re headed in the right direction.”

As for if Pulliam may one day be a part of that direction again, the talented athlete hasn’t ruled it out.

Pulliam still has love for the game of baseball and enjoyed his time with the Diamond Dawgs. If that urge comes back to put on the M over S and O’Connor comes calling, he could see himself back on the diamond.

“I keep all of my options open. All of my eggs are never going to be in one basket. Whatever opportunity is next, I’ll sit down and think about it and go from there.”

Until then, Pulliam is all in on booming the football and flipping the field for State. His leg has brought as much hype around that position since Logan Cooke and he’ll have every opportunity to follow in those same cleats to the NFL if he keeps it up.