Kalen DeBoer has coached a potential All-American specialist in three games for Alabama, and it’s not the placekicker it got from the University of Miami at Ohio via the NCAA transfer portal.
James Burnip, the Crimson Tide’s senior punter, is having a Ray Guy Award caliber season. The native Australian may be the most significant weapon for the Tide in next week’s showdown against Georgia. This says a lot, especially when one takes into account that most don’t see the punter as a marquee asset. Georgia struggled to get a 13-12 victory on the road versus Kentucky, and the atmosphere on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium will more hostile. Mike Bobo, the Bulldogs’ offensive coordinator, has not had a lot of explosive plays in three games. Burnip’s expertise in flipping field position could put Georgia in constant unfavorable spots. The 6-foot-6, 236-pounder may set Alabama’s defense in situations where it can really affect the ‘Dawgs.
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Burnip is averaging 47.4 yards per punt through 14 attempts. Seven of his punts have traveled 50-plus yards, including a long drive of 64 yards.
Five of his punts dropped inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. He had an incredible outing against Wisconsin, executing kicks to perfection at Camp Randall Stadium. Burnip averaged 53 yards per punt on four attempts, dropping three inside the Badgers’ 20-yard line and having two travel 50-plus yards. None were returned by Wisconsin in the matchup.
John Kimball “J.K.” Scott, a former first-team All-SEC selection, was an electric punter for Alabama.
He played from 2014 to 2017, helping the Tide to two College Football Playoff National Championships (2015, 2017) and three SEC Championships in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
Scott was clutch for Alabama in matchups versus LSU (2014, 2016) among other teams in his tenure.
He was at his best flipping field position in the Tide’s favor when the matchups were at their best.
The Tide wants the same thing from Burnip. Coach DeBoer has been very pleased with him.
“James is rock solid,” DeBoer said Monday.
“James puts everything into it. He always has energy and power in his kicks, and technically, he is just so sound and consistent. He has been that way throughout fall camp, and the team believes in him when he goes out there. It is a weapon to have. He flips the script and gives the defense more field space to work with.”
DeBoer said Burnip ‘sets the tone’ in backing teams up.
Alabama will need for him to do that constantly versus Georgia.
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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.
