Kalen DeBoer confirms competition at kicker after first scrimmage

Nov 22, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide kicker Conor Talty (31) kicks the extra point during the first half against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

One of the most important position battles that Alabama football is having this spring is the battle for the starting kicker job between Conor Talty and Marshall transfer Lorcan Quinn. 

The move to bring in Quinn was made after Talty’s struggles in 2025, but Talty was able to get on a hot streak at the end of the season. However, a couple of his missed kicks hurt Alabama in some of the biggest games of the year, including the loss to Oklahoma at home. Alabama lost that one by two points, and if Talty would have made his 28-yard field goal before halftime, it would have made a difference in the game considering the fact that the final score was 23-21. 

On Friday, head coach Kalen DeBoer discussed bringing in another kicker to create competition at the position and gave an update on how the kicker competition is going. 

“When you bring in someone else, it’s open competition,” DeBoer said. “It’s pretty obvious to Conor that that’s the case. What I love about Conor is that he didn’t shy away from it. He decided to stay here. He knew he could of had plenty of time to leave if he wanted to. He wanted to. He wanted to stay here. He’s got it in him. Just continue to battle and you know, like that competition there and I like we’re going to be good. I know we’re gonna be good, no matter who it is and whoever wins out because both of them have a pretty high ceiling.”

Talty finished the 2025 season with a 69.6 field goal percentage and was perfect on extra points. His longest make was from 48 yards out, and his worst miss was from 26 yards away. He made 16 field goals and missed seven last season.

At Marshall, Quinn had a solid 2025 season, making 80.8% of his field goals and only misses five of his 26 attempts. His longest make was from 55 yards away. He was responsible for 101 points last season. Quinn scored five more points than Talty in 2025.

The battle will continue throughout the spring, and one thing that DeBoer knows about Talty is that he is not going to give up his starting job without a battle.