UAPB’s Gillan named Browns’ punter

CLEVELAND — Cleveland Browns undrafted rookie punter Jamie Gillan, nicknamed “The Scottish Hammer,” has beaten out veteran Britton Colquitt.

Gillan (Arkansas-Pine Bluff) won the starting job with solid performances in the final two preseason games, though it could be considered a surprise that the Browns would take him over Colquitt, who was a Pro Bowl alternate last season and has spent nine seasons in the NFL. He won a Super Bowl ring with Denver after the 2015 season.

Colquitt played three years with the Browns, and last season set a team record with 32 punts inside the 20-yard line.

With his long hair and thick Scottish accent, Gillan has quickly become a fan favorite in Cleveland. He has a booming right leg and had a 74-yard punt in an exhibition game against Indianapolis.

“He’s the ultimate team player,” said UAPB Coach Cedric Thomas in a news release. “He’s helped to build the foundation for our program going forward. He was always an unselfish guy. The team was always first. He’ll do well, and we look forward to watching him. Our players now can see if you come in and do it the right way, despite limited resources, you’ll have an opportunity to be successful. This is big not only for UAPB but the SWAC as a whole to get our young men to understand if you put in the work, and do all the little things when your number is called, you will have the opportunity to reach the highest of the highs.”

Gillan also improved his holding skills and said Thursday night that he was excited about being paired with fellow rookie kicker Austin Seibert, who made the roster over incumbent Greg Joseph.

A fifth-round pick from Oklahoma, Seibert got off to a brutal start in training camp but made a small adjustment in his technique and came on strong, making all six field-goal tries in Cleveland’s final two exhibition games.