When you think of placement kickers, one never correlates the term blue chip to be associated with them. However, when you’ve been blessed with an iron leg like Alabama JUCO commit Eddy Pineiro from ASA College, the game changes quickly in terms of evaluations.
Tide fans need not to look much further as proof of a high-value commodity in the special teams department as their own J.K. Scott was hearing his name mentioned among Alabama fans as a potential Heisman candidate. Yes, as funny as it sounds, the notion was not unfathomable as the talented punter saved the Tide on many occasions by booting 50, 60, and even 70-yard punts and placing them delicately inside the ten-yard line — while also averaging 48.0 yards per punt. If you ask Pineiro, he wants the same to be said about the field goal game just as it is with the punting game.
“I want to change the kicking game and break records there…I chose Alabama because of the tradition they have and the program they have. I really liked the school, the weight room, and it just felt like home. Alabama is always going to be competing for national championships.”
Many fans felt the kicking game has been lacking for the past few years and Pineiro wants to help remedy that feeling. “Hopefully Coach Saban will give me the chance to make a 60-yarder in a game. I want to be the best kicker in the nation. I want to prove myself under pressure. I hit a 73-yarder in practice and when I posted the video it went viral and my phone hasn’t stopped ringing. I don’t put it out for attention, but I just want the coaches to know that I’m working.”
Not sure I can speak for Coach Saban, but if by working he means practicing at least two times a day and kicking 70 plus field goals, I’m sure he’s pleased by that and so are Alabama fans.
Pineiro was recruited by Mario Cristobal and Bobby Williams. He has a great relationship with both coaches, but really took a liking to Coach Cristobal. “Coach Cristobal and Coach Williams both recruited me. Cristobal is Cuban like me and we get along well. He also speaks to me in Spanish some times too which I like. Coach Williams is a very nice guy and I like him a lot.”
The former soccer player is on a mission to be a great asset for the Tide and hopes Alabama fans are ready for what he can bring to the table. In case you missed it, or haven’t seen the 73-yarder people are talking about, take a look here:
Broke my personal best record with a 73 yarder today! 🏈✊ pic.twitter.com/qmE5IVBNbW
— Eddy Piñeiro (@EddyPineiro) June 28, 2015
Brandon Williams is an Editor and Columnist for Touchdown Alabama. You can follow him on Twitter, @TFRdotNet, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
