Does the University of Alabama finally have a kicker?
Although one can’t put much thought into a spring game, this question may have been answered with the performance of freshman Joseph Bulovas. Graduate transfer Austin Jones will arrive on campus in the summer, but special teams coach Jeff Banks is creating success with Bulovas.
Jalen Hurts had scoring four drives with the first-team offense; however, he did not finish them with touchdowns.
Bulovas nailed four field goals for team White – including a 49-yard attempt – which accounted for all of its 12 points. He would also connect on a 48-yard kick for Crimson in the fourth quarter. With making five of seven tries, Crimson Tide fans are very optimistic on the efficiency that special teams can achieve in all three phases next season.
Following the game, head coach Nick Saban was complimentary of Bulovas during his presser with the media.
“He’s done a nice job all spring long,” Saban said.
“Tua started out being the holder early on and then Mac [Jones] took over and Mac did a nice job and it improved. You have to have a quality hold to make a quality kick because a guy is counting on the ball to be in a certain place, tilt and all of that. I thought the holds were good today and I think Joe missed two, but he did not miss them by much. He showed good consistency in both scrimmages and throughout the spring. I have been encouraged by that.”
Leigh Tiffin and Jeremy Shelley were the last two exceptional kickers of the Saban era.
Before coming to Alabama, Bulovas was a three-star prospect and the nation’s top-rated kicker according to Rivals in 2017.
The Louisiana native gave fans something to cheer about on Saturday, but it only becomes profound if Bulovas turns to being automatic in the fall.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
