Jamie Gillan had a nickname before he even had a full year of football under his belt.
For that to be one of the least remarkable occurrences in Gillan’s improbable journey to Cleveland shows just how remarkable it is for him to be on the field as one of the Browns’ two punters at the first part of OTAs.
Just six years ago, Gillan was living across the Atlantic Ocean in his native Inverness, Scotland, going through boarding school, playing rugby and knowing close to nothing about American football. He’d heard of the Green Bay Packers -- only because his friend was a fan -- but had never seen a game.
“I was rugby, rugby, rugby,” Gillan said.
The Browns' roster as of May 13, 2019.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield throws a pass against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns quarterback David Blough throws a pass during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 3, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
FILE - In this March 16, 2019, file photo, Orlando Apollos quarterback Garrett Gilbert (3) throws a pass during the first half of an AAF football game against the Arizona Hotshots, in Orlando, Fla. The Cleveland Browns intend to sign former Packers and Steelers safety Morgan Burnett and quarterback Garrett Gilbert, a person familiar with the plans told The Associated Press on Friday, April 5, 2019. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Drew Stanton throws during pregame of an NFL football preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (31) rushes during the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Cleveland Browns' Trayone Gray runs though a drill during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 3, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Detroit Lions defensive back Mike Ford (38) helps push Cleveland Browns running back Dontrell Hilliard (25) out of bounds during the second half of an NFL football preseason game, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) carries the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Cleveland Browns running back Duke Johnson (29) runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals free safety George Iloka (43) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Michigan State's LJ Scott scores a rushing touchdown against Indiana during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State won 17-9. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Cleveland Browns' Dorian Baker catches a pass during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 3, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) in action against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Antonio Callaway (11) runs away from New York Giants' Orion Stewart (45) and Tae Davis (58) for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Rashard Higgins (81) runs a route during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Cleveland. The Jets won 17-14. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns receiver Blake Jackson, defended by Detroit Lions defensive back Chris Jones, catches a 22-yard pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football preseason game, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry (80) runs a route during an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. Buffalo won 19-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Damion Ratley warms up before an NFL football preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and the Browns, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jaelen Strong celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Derrick Willies warms up before an NFL football preseason game between the Buffalo Bills and the Browns, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Oakland Raiders tight end Pharaoh Brown (81) during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Princeton WR Stephen Carlson #84 in action against Columbia during an NCAA college football game on Friday, September 28, 2018 in New York. Princeton won the game. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
Cleveland Browns tight end Orson Charles warms up before an NFL football game between the Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve (87) runs a route during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Cleveland. The Jets won 17-14. (AP Photo/David Richard)
FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2018, file photo, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Demetrius Harris (84) scores against the Oakland Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game, in Oakland, Calif. A person familiar with the deal says the Cleveland Browns and free agent tight end Demetrius Harris have agreed to a two-year contract. Harris, who backed up Pro Bowler Travis Kelce in Kansas City, will be added to the roster when the NFL free agency signing period begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, 2019, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because teams are not permitted to announce any moves until later. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron, File)
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (85) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio (75) plays against Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Chris Smith (94) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
OL Austin Corbett in action against the Buffalo Bills.
Cleveland Browns' Drew Forbes (79) runs through drills during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 3, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
In this Aug. 30, 2018, file photo, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Desmond Harrison (69) defends the line as Detroit Lions defensive end Anthony Zettel (69) rushes during the first half of an NFL football preseason game, in Detroit. The Browns could be shaking up their offensive line again. With the season opener against Pittsburgh just a week away, coach Hue Jackson said Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, that “all avenues” are open with his offensive line, which has been in flux since 10-time Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas retired after last season. Jackson reiterated he wants the “best five guys out there” and he said undrafted rookie Desmond Harrison could be in the mix. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
OL Chris Hubbard plays in a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Michigan Wolverines guard Kyle Kalis (67) blocks against the Maryland Terrapins in the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Chicago Bears center Eric Kush (64) in the first half during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Houston Texans offensive tackle Kendall Lamm (74) before an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Greg Robinson (78) walks off the field after an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. Buffalo won 19-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Brad Seaton (60) makes a move to block on the line of scrimmage during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 24, 2018 in Tampa. The Lions defeated the Buccaneers 33-30. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Memphis offensive lineman Trevon Tate does he bench press at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter (64) lines up during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Cleveland. The Titans won 12-9 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Chicago Bears offensive guard Bryan Witzmann (78) runs against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Morgan Burnett (42) during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, June 6, 2018, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/ Photo/Keith Srakocic)
New York Jets' Juston Burris runs a pattern during NFL football practice, Thursday, June 15, 2017, in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Cleveland Browns defensive back T.J. Carrie (38) lines up during an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018, in Cleveland. The Browns won 21-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns' Jhavonte Dean runs through a drill during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 3, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Indianapolis Colts defensive back Robert Jackson (34) makes a catch during practice at the NFL team's football training camp in Westfield, Ind., Friday, July 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cleveland Browns' Donnie Lewis Jr. smiles during and interview during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 3, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Terrance Mitchell returns an interception during NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ken Blaze)
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Eric Murray (21) makes a catch before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Green Bay Packers' Lenzy Pipkins catches a ball during a practice session at their NFL minicamp Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Cleveland Browns' Jermaine Ponder runs through a drill during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 3, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
DB Damarious Randall in action against the New York Giants.
Cleveland Browns' Sheldrick Redwine runs through a drill during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 3, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Tigie Sankoh catches a pass during a practice at the NFL football team's training camp facility, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Tavierre Thomas (34) during the first half of an preseason NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Cleveland Browns defensive back Denzel Ward (21) watches in the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Green Bay Packers' Jermaine Whitehead catches a ball during a practice session at their NFL minicamp Wednesday, June 13, 2018, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Trevon Coley (93) plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Carl Davis celebrates tackle from the sidelines against the Chicago Bears in the first half at the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard)
DL Daniel Ekuale leaves the field after practice at the Browns' facility in Berea.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) defends against Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (69) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi celebrates a sack in the first half of an NFL football preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Oklahoma State defensive end Jarrell Owens (93) lines up for a play during the first half of the Camping World Bowl NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Brian Price (92) warms up prior to an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Boston College defensive lineman Wyatt Ray runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson during an NFL football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 in Foxborough, Mass. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Chris Smith (50) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cleveland Browns defensive end Chad Thomas (92) walks off the field after an NFL football preseason game agains the Buffalo Bills, Friday, Aug. 17, 2018, in Cleveland. Buffalo won 19-17. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Detroit Lions defensive end Anthony Zettel (69) lines up against the Cleveland Browns during an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
New York Giants' Ray-Ray Armstrong celebrates during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
LB Genard Avery practices at the Browns' facility in Berea.
Iowa State linebacker Willie Harvey (2) leaves the field after he was ejected for targeting during the the first half against Washington State in the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Christian Kirksey (58) lines up during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Cleveland. Cincinnati won 31-7. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Cleveland Browns middle linebacker Joe Schobert (53) drops back during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, in Cleveland. The Titans won 12-9 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Adarius Taylor (53) before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
New York Giants defensive end Olivier Vernon during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017. (Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini)
Cleveland Browns' Mack Wilson runs through a drill during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 3, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Linebacker Dedrick Young (5) pursues BYU quarterback Tanner Mangum during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015. Brigham Young won 33-28. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Cleveland Browns kicker Greg Joseph watches the ball after making a 33-yard field goal in the first half during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns' Austin Seibert stands on the field during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 3, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns long snapper Charley Hughlett covers a punt against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns punter Britton Colquitt (4) kicks against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Cleveland Browns punter Jamie Gillan (7) runs through a special teams drill during an NFL football rookie minicamp Friday, May 3, 2019, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
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That’s how it remained even after Gillan, whose father is in the Royal Air Force, moved overseas to Leonardtown, Maryland, a small town of less than 3,000 located 55 miles south of Washington D.C.. Though rugby isn’t nearly as popular in the states as it is in Scotland, Gillan still found plenty of action, playing for enough teams and clubs to set himself up to potentially play at the collegiate level.
Halfway through Leonardtown High’s 2014 season, the team needed a kicker. Gillan, who is a “fly half” in rugby -- which is “essentially the quarterback,” Gillan said, and also involves plenty of kicking -- became the man for the job, and his coach promptly gave him the nickname “Scottish Hammer.”
“He knew I was from Scotland and he saw me kick a couple of footballs and he said, ‘yep, I'm going to call you the Scottish Hammer,’” Gillan said.
That’s how it was supposed to end -- a fun, five-week break from rugby before he figured out what to do beyond high school. A Facebook post by Gillan’s friend changed everything.
Gillan’s friend posted Gillan’s highlight reel on the page of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, a historically black university that plays in the FCS. Within hours, Gillan had a full scholarship offer.
It’d be another significant life change, but the details mattered little to Gillan from that point forward.
“That was a huge culture shock but I've moved house so many times with my dad being in the military that meeting new people has never been a hard thing,” Gillan said. “I was extremely blessed to have the opportunity to play college football and then also on the full scholarship as well. I've got a four-year degree for free. You'd never get that in Scotland. I got free food, free housing, free weight room, everything. It was an awesome experience and everyone was super inviting when I got there. I've got best friends for life from that school.”
That’s how this chapter was supposed to end, too. It wasn’t until months after Gillan’s final college season came to an end -- a year that saw him average 42.5 yards per punt -- when the NFL even entered his mind as a potential next step.
Though he wasn’t invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Gillan made waves at multiple pre-draft events. He was named the top punter at Gary Zauner’s annual scouting combine for specialists who weren’t invited to the NFL Combine. He later followed with an impressive showing at Arkansas State’s Pro Day, where he wowed scouts not only with his strong leg, but also impressive numbers in drills such as the 40-yard dash and vertical leap.
At a sturdy 6-foot-1 and 207 pounds, Gillan is built like, well, a rugby player. It’s not a typical build for a punter, but there’s nothing typical about Gillan’s story.
Browns special teams coordinator Mike Priefer met with Gillan in Arkansas shortly before the draft. They shared a meal at an Irish pub the night before what Gillan described as “a great day of kicking.” Gillan later visited the Browns in Berea but entered draft weekend with few certainties. About 20 teams contacted Gillan before the draft, but his name went uncalled throughout the seven rounds.
Gillan was more than happy to ride the wave. He spent Day 3 of the draft celebrating his graduation with friends and family before fielding a call from the Browns to sign as an undrafted free agent.
“I punted, kicked and kicked off for Pine Bluff and had a good time,” Gillan said. “Now I'm in the position I'm in now. It's incredible.”
The next chapter comes with no guarantees. Though the process that landed Gillan at Arkansas Pine Bluff was improbable, he walked into a favorable situation with minimal competition. He faces the opposite situation in Cleveland going against 10-year veteran Britton Colquitt, who is coming off one of the best seasons of his career.
“Obviously he's an incredibly punter going into his 10th year in the NFL,” Gillan said. “I want to learn from Mr. Priefer and continue to better myself. Understand I've got a good leg and I'm talented enough to be in this position now. Now it's about the consistency of getting better with my team and gelling in with the team perfectly.”
At some point this summer, Gillan plans to travel back to Scotland for the first time in four years. His father still plays rugby, and Gillan wouldn’t rule out pursuing the sport in the future, but he’s not turning away from what’s carried him on this unexpected journey to this point.
“My contract would be because of my leg and you wouldn't want to hurt that,” Gillan said. “We'll see how it goes down the line. Rugby can wait.”
