Alabama fans are hoping and praying, but it looks promising.
It has not boasted an elite kicker since Jeremy Shelley in 2012; however, the signing of Will Reichard (three-star) from Hoover High School has Crimson Tide fans excited.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, Reichard is regarded as the nation’s top-rated placekicker from all major recruiting networks. While he possesses exceptional leg strength, his accuracy upon kicking the ball is what Bama nation is banking on. Since the perfect exploits of Shelley (11 for 11) in Saban’s third national title run, the Tide has struggled to find consistency in the kicking game.
RELATED: Alabama kicker commit, Will Reichard, has plans on taking starting position
Joseph Bulovas, a three-star from the 2017 class, has made 12 of 16 field goal attempts this season, but Reichard carries all hopes on his leg. One thing he has more of than others before him is an outward showing of confidence in himself.
He went on the record a couple of times in referring to himself as the one “that will fix Alabama’s issues” at kicker.
Reichard made nine of 13 tries in his senior year – including a long of 54 yards.
Upon him signing his letter of intent on Wednesday, Nick Saban said getting Reichard was something the coaching staff looked at as “a chance to improve our team.”
“I think the guy is a really talented guy,” Saban said of Reichard. “He’s a really good person, a really hard worker and a really good specialist in all regards. He can punt. He is a really good kicker. He has great production.”
Chris Sailer, founder of the Chris Sailer Kicking Camp, referred to Reichard as the best he has ever seen at the high school ranks. He excelled at Sailer and Kohl’s Kicking Camp, with both speaking highly of him.
Following the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game, Reichard caught up with Justin Smith of Touchdown Alabama Magazine to discuss his plans to enroll early.
“I want to be able to get there in January, so I can go through spring practice,” Reichard told Smith, TDAM’s recruiting and scouting analyst. “I want to get use to the workout program, that way I can practice in the spring and summer and win the job.”
He is one of 23 student-athletes that signed on the first day of the early signing period, and Tide fans cannot wait to see Reichard return swagger to the kicking game.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
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.
