National media is high on Alabama’s offense and skeptic about its defense, but no one has mentioned special teams.
The kicking game for the Crimson Tide is prepared to be a massive weapon.
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After playing two seasons under Nick Saban, Kalen DeBoer has the opportunity to coach James Burnip. The Australian native enters his senior campaign as the Tide’s punter and he’s in for a marquee season. Burnip averaged 47.6 yards per attempt in 2023, helping Alabama to a Southeastern Conference Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
The 6-foot-6, 220-pounder was excellent in the Rose Bowl against Michigan, pinning the Wolverines inside its 10-yard line on five of his seven punts.
If the Tide had won the matchup, Burnip would have been a significant reason behind it playing for a national title.
He’s had a successful preseason camp, but Coach DeBoer raved about Burnip after Alabama’s second scrimmage.
DeBoer said Burnip is ‘definitely ready to go’ this season.
“James has had an amazing camp,” DeBoer said.
“This spring, the first couple of days, I’ll be honest, I thought he had a lot of potential but needs to be more consistent. You saw it at the end of the spring … the consistency has been phenomenal. He kicks it not just with great hang time and distance, but when you are trying to pin guys inside the 10 … he’s been really, really consistent with that too.”
Burnip will be a major asset to Alabama’s defense in the fall.
He is the one to set Kane Wommack’s group up create negative plays.
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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.
