Now for Will Reichard’s next task. After spending five years in college changing the perception of his job, the former kicker for Alabama is playing in the Senior Bowl.
The kicker for Alabama was a meme. One of them is currently the all-time leader in points in major college football.
When asked on Wednesday about the stigma his position had until recently, Reichard responded, “I don’t want to say that because I don’t want to be disrespectful to anyone that kicked at Alabama before me.” “At Alabama, I simply wanted to work hard every day to reach my potential and to help our team win. I also wanted to be the best version of myself.”
The American team’s kicker for the Senior Bowl on Saturday will be Reichard. Despite having the opportunity to play in Mobile the previous season, he chose to return for the one-time COVID-19 waiver season.
The native of Hoover desired to improve his kicking technique before trying his luck in the NFL. He believed that he wasn’t making as many touchbacks as he would have liked in 2022 as the season went on and the weather grew cooler.
Reichard considered the mission done.
“I thought I could get better, and I felt like this year, I’ve hit some of the biggest kickoff balls of my career,” he remarked. “I was therefore quite happy.”
After nailing 22 of his 25 field goals in 2023, Reichard shattered the NCAA scoring record and was chosen as the SEC’s special teams player of the year by the coaches in the league. Additionally, while making less efforts than he did in 2022, he scored 52 touchbacks, compared to 47 in that season.
Throughout the week of practice before the Senior Bowl, he was drawing attention. On Tuesday, Reichard made at least one kick from 60 yards.
On Wednesday, Reichard gave an explanation of his plans for Senior Bowl week.
Reichard stated, “At the end of the day, we’re snapping, trying to kick the ball through the uprights.” For the most part, you’re not actually attempting to learn all that much, to put it mildly. Simply because you’re still attempting to show off your skill by kicking the ball through the uprights.
Reichard won the week-of-practice accolades as the best specialist on the American squad before to the game. He and his American counterparts, Justin Eboigbe and Chris Braswell, who were also invited from Alabama, will play the National team on Saturday in Mobile at 12 p.m. CT.
The NFL Network will broadcast the Senior Bowl.
