Alabama released their depth chart for their first game against the Duke Blue Devils on Monday and true freshman, Will Reichard, is listed as the starting kicker and co-punter.
Coming out of Hoover High School in 2019 as the No. 1 kicker in the nation, Reichard did not lack confidence.
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The Hoover product knew what he was getting into when he chose to commit to Alabama. Living less than an hour from Tuscaloosa, Reichard was all too familiar with the struggles Alabama has had at the kicker position. Instead of running from the challenge, Reichard embraced it and made It clear he was coming to be the Tide’s starting kicker.
”I want to be able to get there in January, that way I can go through Spring practice and get used to the weight program,” Reichard told Touchdown Alabama in December. ”That way, I can practice in the Spring and in the Summer and win the job.”
Buzz has constantly surrounded Reichard since he stepped on campus. This buzz increased when reports began to surface about him having a good performance during a scrimmage earlier in Fall Camp.
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The former 3-star recruit was coming off of a successful senior season at Hoover High School when he enrolled into the University of Alabama. Reichard was 9-of-13 on field goals and had a long of 54 as a senior. Two of his field-goal attempts were blocked. He was 52-of-53 on PATs and had a 40.5-yard punt average on 34 punts and landed 16 of those inside the 20-yard line. 96 percent of Reichard’s kickoffs were touchbacks.
In Alabama’s spring game, Reichard made a 43-yard field goal. Reichard was also 4-4 on PATs.
Nick Saban has seen Reichard show promise at the kicker and the punter position, which is what has made him confident in the freshman’s ability. Saban said Reichard has been consistent in his short time in Tuscaloosa.
”He has done a nice job.” Saban said in his Monday press conference. ”He has been very consistent in his performance in both areas (kicking and punting). I think the competition we have had at both kicker and punter, has probably helped everybody get better. I think it is good to have the situation we have right now and it will be interesting to see how he responds in a game when he gets an opportunity.”
All eyes will be on Reichard when he graces the field for the first time in crimson and white on Saturday in Atlanta as Tide fans hope he is the answer to their prayers.
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Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
