Nick Saban has been very successful at Alabama in recruiting production at all 22 non-specialized positions on the field.
While he is starting to hit more on quarterbacks, placekicker has been the missing piece for the Crimson Tide. Jeremy Shelley (2012) was the last consistent kicker, and Leigh Tiffin (2009) was the most accurate one from short and long distances.
Alabama has had some good moments with players such as Adam Griffith; however, there were times when Griffith, Cade Foster, Andy Pappanastos and Joseph Bulovas were inconsistent.
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Will Reichard, a native of Hoover, Ala., enrolled in 2019 as the top-rated kicker in the class.
After a great high school career, Reichard started off well for the Tide.
He made four of seven field goals and nailed 21 of 22 point after touchdown tries. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder sustained a hip flexor versus Southern Mississippi and in his return against Tennessee, he wasn’t healthy. He was sidelined for the remainder of the season and though people were concerned, a video surfaced to Twitter over the weekend that provided smiles.
It showed Reichard healthy and driving in 60-yard kicks off the dirt. Fans want to see him do this in a game and should he remain healthy, Reichard is the missing piece for the Tide. Supporters of Alabama want to see the program be automatic with PAT’s, short-range field goals and long-range opportunities.
On Monday, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine discussed Reichard via In My Own Words and why he will prove to be productive this season.
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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.
