Prior to this season, it had been seven years since Alabama football had a kicker it could depend on.
Jeremy Shelley was as accurate as they come in 2012. He set a record in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game (2011 season) versus Louisiana State University by making five field goals. Shelley was a critical part in the 21-0 victory for the Crimson Tide, but he was even better in the following season.
A native of Raleigh, N.C., he was perfect in the kicking game as a senior — connecting on all 11 field goal attempts and all 69 PAT’s (point after touchdowns).
Shelley assisted the Tide to back-to-back national championships, as it defeated Notre Dame in the 2013 BCS title matchup.
After him, Alabama has struggled to find another consistent leg of positive production. It has had some decent kickers; however, none that have provided the assurance of players like Shelley and Leigh Tiffin. Fortunately, all of this has an opportunity to change with Will Reichard in the program.
Reichard, a sophomore, turned in a successful career at Hoover (Ala.) High School.
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Upon making all 109 of his PAT’s and 27 of 31 field goals, the three-star and top-rated combination kicker/punter for the Kohl’s Kicking Class of 2019 signed with Alabama. He told Justin Smith, lead scouting and recruiting analyst of Touchdown Alabama Magazine, that he would ‘end the kicking woes’ for the Tide at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.
His freshman season was cut short (hip flexor) after five games, but Reichard returned stronger this year. In a weird season, filled with Coronavirus testing and Alabama trying to find itself on defense, the kicking game has been a pleasant surprise for the Tide.
Reichard has made all four of his field goals, including two critical kicks versus Georgia.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder nailed a 33-yard attempt to trim the Bulldogs’ lead to 14-10 and brought fans to their feet at Bryant-Denny Stadium in drilling a 52-yard try before halftime.
Not only was it a new career-long for him, but Reichard also flipped the momentum in the Tide’s favor. Alabama’s defense came out in the second half and shut Georgia off the scoreboard.
What changed the momentum pic.twitter.com/Sb57dUUeip
— Zachary Clay (@zachary_clay) October 18, 2020
The Tide earned a 41-24 win to remain undefeated in college football. Reichard made all five of his PAT’s, which made him responsible for 11 points in the matchup. He has connected on all 26 of his PAT’s and Tide fans feel as though the team has a specialist it can trust.
Hopefully, Reichard can continue with the path he is on as we get deeper into the season.
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For now, Alabama is in good hands or feet with Reichard handling the kicks.
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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.
