We continue to move through the summer, but Alabama football is returning soon.
Kalen DeBoer inherited a very talented roster from Nick Saban and is prepared to put it in action.
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The former Washington head coach wanted this chance to be Nick Saban’s successor. He had a good spring with the Crimson Tide, but DeBoer is focused on getting Alabama back to winning national championships. Alabama lost Will Reichard to the Minnesota Vikings as a sixth round pick in the National Football League Draft.
It does return an experienced punter, and the Crimson Tide grabbed a kicker from the NCAA transfer portal. How will Alabama look on special teams in the coming fall?
A projection is below.
James Burnip, Punter
James Burnip took a significant jump last season after his first year.
The native Australian improved his average yards per punt from 42.3 in 2022 and 47.6 in 2023.
Burnip recorded 24 punts of 50-plus yards, including five punts that traveled 60-plus yards. He pinned opponents its 20-yard line several times and was set up to be the Most Valuable Player for the Rose Bowl Game versus Michigan if Alabama would have won.
Burnip will be a preseason Ray Guy Award candidate.
Graham Nicholson, Kicker
Alabama filled Will Reichard’s shoes with the 2023 Lou Groza Award winner.
Graham Nicholson committed to the Crimson Tide from the University of Miami at Ohio out the NCAA transfer portal.
He made 27 of 28 field goals and 35 of 37 PATs last year, helping the Red Wolves to 11 wins. Nicholson took home several individual honors in 2023, including Consensus All-American, Mid-American Conference Special Teams Player of the Year, and first-team All-MAC. He will be looked upon to continue the elite kicking exploits that Reichard leaves behind.
Punt Returner
-Punt Returner 1: Jaylen Mbakwe
-Punt Returner 2: Ryan Williams
Summary
Alabama has two freshmen that can could it make its special teams dangerous on punt returns.
Jaylen Waddle, a former Tide wide receiver, was the last dynamic punt returner. Jaylen Mbakwe or Ryan Williams, both five stars, would have Alabama fans on their feet with each return opportunity. Both have speed, explosiveness, vision, and are threats to score whenever they have the ball. Mbakwe and Williams were two of the best high school prospects from the state of Alabama.
Kick Returner
-Kick Returner 1: Emmanuel Henderson Jr.
-Kick Returner 2: Kendrick Law
Summary
Emmanuel Henderson and Kendrick Law are strong kick return options.
Law has experience doing it and Henderson has the talent to do it. Alabama wants to have several ways to score points and touchdowns on kick returns is a way. We will see what both guys do in the coming season.
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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.
