Nick Saban praises returning specialists James Burnip, Will Reichard

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – With all of the quarterback and other position battle talk, special teams is oftentimes pushed to the back – or even completely out – of the mind during the preseason.

But from a specialist standpoint, Alabama welcomed back its starting kicker, punter and snapper from last year’s team, as well as special teams coordinator Coleman Hutzler, to provide stability in the game’s third phase. Following the Crimson Tide’s sixth camp practice, its first in full pads, Nick Saban was asked about veteran punter James Burnip and kicker Will Reichard.

“They’ve done really, really well,” Saban said Wednesday. “We’ve got a lot of confidence in both guys. James has gotten a little better each year in terms of his consistency. He’s got a really strong leg, but he’s gotten a little more consistent, so his bad kicks aren’t as bad and his good kicks are even better. But he’s more consistent all the way around.”

Burnip was the only Alabama punter to see the first for the second year in a row in 2022, and he produced better numbers than his 2021 campaign. The Aussie punted 44 times for 1,861 yards for an average of 42.3 yards per punt, an average that was more than three yards better than he tallied two years ago (39.13). It would be nice for the Crimson Tide if he continued that trend, but having an experienced starter back with so much turnover on offense is still a major plus. Burnip is also the holder on field goals, providing some continuity for Reichard.

Speaking of Reichard, Alabama received a pleasant surprise when he changed his mind about entering the draft and chose to return to UA for a fifth season, taking advantage of a free year. Reichard became the program’s all-time leader in career points (417) and extra points (234) last season and is up to fourth in career field goals. Now, he will have a chance to pad his lead and take over the top spot on just about all of the Tide’s kicking records. But in addition to the record books, Reichard adds efficiency and effectiveness to UA’s special teams units.

But in addition to Burnip, Reichard and long snapper Kneeland Hibbett, a first-team All-SEC pick this preseason, the Crimson Tide will need the players around them to play well, too, this fall in order for special teams to be a strength for Alabama, just like Saban believes it can be.

“Will’s been as good a college kicker over the last 2-3 years as anybody could ever ask for,” Saban said. “We’re really glad to have both those guys back. I think it’s gonna be an important part of – you’ve gotta have great special teams, and sometimes people just look at the specialist and they evaluate the special teams.

“So our specialists should be really, really good, so we’ve gotta build really, really good special teams around them so that that can be a real asset for us this season.”

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