It is one of few areas on Alabama’s depth chart that has a slash on it.
The slash (/) means the competition is still going and at punter, Nick Saban has not made a decision on either Skyler DeLong or Will Reichard. Both guys have been competing for the starting job all offseason and per Saban, it was Reichard that pushed everyone to improve.
Despite his struggles last season and getting benched for Mike Bernier, DeLong appeared to have made strides on A-Day. The sophomore averaged 47.5 yards per attempt; however, the level of consistency went back down at the open practice.
Whether it is distance or getting the proper hang time, DeLong has had issues with striking the ball in the right spots.
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As for Reichard, the three-star was rated as the top combination punter/kicker at the Kohl’s Kicking Competition.
He was regarded as the nation’s top kicker and No. 2 punter in the 2019 recruiting class, and he told Justin Smith of Touchdown Alabama Magazine that his goal was winning the kicking job at Alabama and ending the woes from that aspect of the game.
He accomplished that in fall camp, but he now will a chance to punt too.
During the first airing of Saban’s “Hey Coach” show on Thursday, he said both Reichard and DeLong will punt against Duke. With this being stated, whomever shows the most consistency in squeezing the returners of the Blue Devils and flipping field position will win the job.
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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.
