Alabama had not had a consistent placekicker in the Nick Saban era since Jeremy Shelley in 2012.
Will Reichard, a senior, has brought that level of consistency to the Crimson Tide. He arrived in Alabama’s 2019 recruiting class as a three-star from Hoover (Ala.) High School. Reichard sustained a hip flexor injury in 2019, but he rebounded to have a perfect season in 2020. People gushed over the Crimson Tide’s explosive offense under Steve Sarkisian, but Reichard made all 14 field goals — including a 52-yarder against Georgia. He also made all 84 PAT attempts, assisting the Tide to a national championship.
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Reichard has been the model of consistency that Alabama fans wanted.
He made two kicks versus Texas in week two, including the game-winner in the fourth quarter. Tide fans witnessed him miss three kicks combined in the last two games. People started to get concerned after he went one for three versus Texas A&M.
On Wednesday, a reporter asked Saban what he does when Reichard misses a kick.
“Will has been kicking a long time for us,” Saban said. “We have a lot of confidence in him. No one can make every kick, but I don’t want him to press. I don’t want him to feel like there is any anxiety or feel pressure or want him to do something. He made the game-winning kick at Texas, and he’s been a consistent guy for us. I usually don’t feel like there is any reason to go sort of, when I talk to the guys, I tell them ‘they are doing a good job.’ If they don’t hit a good kick or punt, ‘it’s forget about it and focus on the next one.’ Those guys are not like players. They don’t play 70 plays in a game. They are like assassins. They have one shot to make it count, and that is the mindset they have to have.”
Reichard has done so much positive for the Alabama program.
He’s made 70 percent (7-for-10) of his field goals and all 35 PAT attempts. Reichard has been excellent on kickoffs, forcing 27 touchbacks on 42 kickoffs. He looks to have a marquee impact on Saturday’s game against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium.
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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.
