It was not a cause for concern, but it did peak the interest of some to see Alabama use two kickers last week.
Graham Nicholson and Connor Talty played against Western Kentucky. Nicholson, a transfer from the University of Miami at Ohio, made seven extra point attempts. Talty, a second-year kicker, made two PAT attempts and executed kickoffs.
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We are in a 12-team College Football Playoff time, so coaches want to make sure each player on their teams get adequate opportunities to perform in games. Kalen DeBoer revealed on Wednesday during “Hey Coach” why he’s choosing to play two kickers for the Crimson Tide. He wants to have a firm rotation, even at kicker.
“One thing that is key and kind of hidden and I’m not afraid to share it publicly: I think it’s important … if you have the possibilities to let some of those guys rotate … those kicks add up,” DeBoer said on his radio show. “Especially when you score 63 points. If one guy is doing all the duties of kicking off and field goals or the PATs, that’s going to be 10, close to 20 kicks in a game. That will wear on you over the course of the season.”
DeBoer does not want to place everything on one kicker, so that is why Nicholson and Talty are getting work.
Both are ready for Saturday’s matchup against South Florida at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
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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.
