The Crimson Tide are three days away from opening their season against Western Kentucky at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Most of the preseason attention has been on quarterback Jalen Milroe and how he'll fit into new head coach Cullen DeBoer's offensive system, or how the Alabama transfer will fit into new defensive coordinator Kane Womack's defensive scheme. Very little has been said about the third phase of the game: special teams.
Is it because of the nature of special teams that they are being overlooked, or is it because the Crimson Tide have one of the strongest corps of specialists in the country despite losing the NCAA's all-time scoring leader in the offseason?
“It's been a fun team. I think I've learned as much from them as I've taught them, because we've got guys who've played at a high level a lot,” Alabama special teams coach Jay Nunez said. “It's the first time we've had a kicker, punter and snapper playing at a high level and competing with each other and leading each other, so it's been really fun to watch them come together as a team and excel even more at their craft.”
Alabama begins the year with three seniors — graduated senior punter James Burnip, senior Graham Nicholson and senior Neeland Hibbett — who form the core of the Crimson Tide's special teams. Fans are well aware of Burnip and Hibbett from their longtime playing days in Tuscaloosa, but Nicholson stepping into a position long-time fan favorite Will Reichard is a curious look. How will Nicholson perform in Saturday's high-stakes SEC game?
“It's kind of funny because I played against him not long ago when we were at Eastern Michigan, so the maturity with him understanding that it's different for him and as a kicker,” Nunez said. “Footballs are 13 pounds. That's the reality. They shape a little differently depending on what the quarterback likes, but for the most part it's the same, the uprights are the same. So he has the maturity to make that big kick and savor the moment and his understanding hasn't changed at all. There's a few more guys in the stands. It's fun to watch him with that mindset of, 'Hey, I've been there, I've done that.'”
He has proven his flawless game in Power 4 stadiums during his collegiate career, making five field goals and three extra points, and with Nicholson's first two games coming in the friendly atmosphere of Bryant-Denny Stadium, the live opportunity will be important for the 2023 Lou Groza Award winner to build early confidence.