Jeremy Crawshaw raced from the tunnel at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for last week's game carrying a Gators flag. (Photo: Maddie Washburn/UAA Communications)
Carter's Corner: A Special Visitor for Gators Punter Crawshaw
Saturday, September 23, 2023 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Jeremy Crawshaw still gets goosebumps each time he runs out of the tunnel at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
They might be more pronounced than usual on Saturday night. On the four-year anniversary of the day the Australian punter accepted a full scholarship to play for the Gators, Crawshaw will have a special guest in the stands when the Gators host Charlotte.
His mom.
Ally Crawshaw's first trip to America was when Jeremy made the journey from their home in Emu Plains, Australia — a suburb of Sydney — for his official visit in September 2019. Jeremy and his parents, Abby and Gavin Crawshaw, snapped a photo at "The Swamp" as they prepared to leave town following a grueling weekend trip from their homeland.
They haven't been back since. Gavin remains home, but Ally arrived in Los Angeles earlier this week and in Gainesville late Wednesday night for an opportunity to watch Jeremy play in person for the first time since he was a teenager playing Australian rules football.
"Many, many years,'' Jeremy Crawshaw said of the last time.
Crawshaw then added a disclaimer. He returned home in May to spend a month after spring practice concluded.
"I took footballs home and kicked at the park by myself," he said. "She came over and watched one as she was doing her walks."
That's not exactly The Swamp on a Saturday night.
Crawshaw's family is able to watch UF games on TV, with night games such as tonight's much better. That way, they can watch on Sunday morning when they wake up with the 12-hour time difference. They have to wait until the middle of the night to watch an afternoon game such as the Gators' game at Kentucky next week.
A fourth-year junior, Crawshaw arrived from Australia after making his mark with Prokick Australia, and organization that has produced college punters in waves the past decade. I featured his story in 2021 as Crawshaw emerged as one of the top punters in the country. He was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List prior to this season.
Crawshaw is set to play host to mom the next few days, a trip he wants to make sure she remembers.
"She is going to experience tailgating and everything that I talk about," Crawshaw said. "I think she's just excited to come over and experience what Gator game day is like. She will have a lot more time [than on my official visit] to adjust to jet lag and have time to settle down and relax and take in what is Gainesville. I'm going to try and take time to show her around to some of the little places I know since I've been here."
Ally attended Sydney University and reflects fondly about her college years. Jeremy has a typical college weekend planned for her.
"I've got her a little air mattress, you know what it is, being a college student. 'Here you go mom. sorry. I got some bed sheets for you.' She is trying to experience what college life is like,'' he said. "She is excited even just to walk around campus and just look at the student atmosphere."
They might be more pronounced than usual on Saturday night. On the four-year anniversary of the day the Australian punter accepted a full scholarship to play for the Gators, Crawshaw will have a special guest in the stands when the Gators host Charlotte.
His mom.
Ally Crawshaw's first trip to America was when Jeremy made the journey from their home in Emu Plains, Australia — a suburb of Sydney — for his official visit in September 2019. Jeremy and his parents, Abby and Gavin Crawshaw, snapped a photo at "The Swamp" as they prepared to leave town following a grueling weekend trip from their homeland.
They haven't been back since. Gavin remains home, but Ally arrived in Los Angeles earlier this week and in Gainesville late Wednesday night for an opportunity to watch Jeremy play in person for the first time since he was a teenager playing Australian rules football.
"Many, many years,'' Jeremy Crawshaw said of the last time.
Crawshaw then added a disclaimer. He returned home in May to spend a month after spring practice concluded.
"I took footballs home and kicked at the park by myself," he said. "She came over and watched one as she was doing her walks."
That's not exactly The Swamp on a Saturday night.
Absolutely proud to announce, I've accepted a full scholarship to study and play football at the University of Florida!! Big thanks to @ProkickAus, @JohnnyPKA and Dave T and Conquest Athletics for all their hard work!! Can't wait to get cracking in January. Go Gators!! 🐊🐊 pic.twitter.com/I9cQ6z1xHx
— Jeremy Crawshaw (@jeremy_crawshaw) September 23, 2019
Crawshaw's family is able to watch UF games on TV, with night games such as tonight's much better. That way, they can watch on Sunday morning when they wake up with the 12-hour time difference. They have to wait until the middle of the night to watch an afternoon game such as the Gators' game at Kentucky next week.
A fourth-year junior, Crawshaw arrived from Australia after making his mark with Prokick Australia, and organization that has produced college punters in waves the past decade. I featured his story in 2021 as Crawshaw emerged as one of the top punters in the country. He was named to the Ray Guy Award Watch List prior to this season.
Crawshaw is set to play host to mom the next few days, a trip he wants to make sure she remembers.
"She is going to experience tailgating and everything that I talk about," Crawshaw said. "I think she's just excited to come over and experience what Gator game day is like. She will have a lot more time [than on my official visit] to adjust to jet lag and have time to settle down and relax and take in what is Gainesville. I'm going to try and take time to show her around to some of the little places I know since I've been here."
Ally attended Sydney University and reflects fondly about her college years. Jeremy has a typical college weekend planned for her.
"I've got her a little air mattress, you know what it is, being a college student. 'Here you go mom. sorry. I got some bed sheets for you.' She is trying to experience what college life is like,'' he said. "She is excited even just to walk around campus and just look at the student atmosphere."
Players Mentioned
P
/ FootballJ. Michael Sturdivant Media Availability 10-8-25
Wednesday, October 08
Billy Napier Press Conference 10-8-25
Wednesday, October 08
Taylor Spierto Media Availability 10-8-25
Wednesday, October 08
Gator Insider presented by Talon Wealth 10-7-25
Tuesday, October 07
