Kalen DeBoer tells why he remains confident in Alabama kicker ahead of Florida State

Aug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide place kicker Conor Talty (31) kicks off against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at the start of the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-USA TODAY Sports

A concern ahead of Alabama’s season opener at Florida State is how kicker Conor Talty is progressing as the Crimson Tide’s field goal kicker.

After Alabama’s second scrimmage of fall camp, head coach Kalen DeBoer told the media that Talty missed a few field goals between 38 and 44 yards out.

On Wednesday, DeBoer reaffirmed his confidence in Talty when speaking to the media, saying the redshirt freshman has dug himself out of his slump.

“Connor’s done a nice job here,” DeBoer said during the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “Had a little lull probably from first scrimmage to the second scrimmage there, maybe a little bit into the next week. That part I guess, it’s understanding how to get yourself out of the slump that you’re in a little bit. I mean we expect a lot out of him because he was kicking and is kicking right now at a very high level again. Those expectations are always relative. You know. You have a guy who’s pretty much kicking every kick and he’s got great range. I mean, Connor’s leg is great. I mean, he kicked the 55-yarder in two-minute drill the other day, nailed it right down the middle. So, his range is good, and he just had that week in there. Some of it’s wear and tear, some of it’s, some of it kind of, you know, you’d rather have him go through it then rather than in the middle of the season and understanding and working your way through it.”

In 2024, Talty hit three PATs in as many tries and served as the Tide’s backup placekicker. He handled all the kickoff duties last season and will continue doing that in 2025.

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