Alabama’s coaching staff was not joking when it said the team is fostering competition at every position.
Kalen DeBoer broke down for reporters following Saturday’s scrimmage about a battle for starting kicker.
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The Crimson Tide had Will Reichard for five seasons.
Fans never had to worry about field goals because Reichard consistently provided confidence to make them. He was perfect in 2020 on field goals and extra points, assisting the Tide to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a College Football Playoff National Championship. Reichard made SEC Special Teams Player of the Year in 2023 and is now looking forward to hearing his name called in the NFL Draft. Alabama has talented specialists, but who takes over for Reichard on field goals?
The competition is between Conor Talty and Upton Bellenfant. Both are talented, but Talty came in as one of the nation’s best from Kohl’s Kicking and Chris Sailer Kicking in the 2023 class. Coach DeBoer said both kickers did well in the second scrimmage.
“Everyone has had their days at the kicker position,” DeBoer said. “Both have done well and have been consistent. We had a windy day a couple of practices ago, and both struggled. Those are great learning moments, we are trying to push through, but today was a really good day. They made all their kicks. We really did not have any long field goals. They are doing a good job.”
Talty and Bellenfant are the main two, but there are others competing.
We will get a close look at both kickers on A-Day.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
