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re: Class of 2019 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: That's a Wrap Edition
Posted on 1/28/19 at 1:48 pm to Bama3714
Posted on 1/28/19 at 1:48 pm to Bama3714
Three-star kicker might be Alabama's most important recruit (ESPN)
quote:
Alabama needed a kicker, so of course Nick Saban went out and recruited the No. 1 kicker.
ORLANDO, FL -- Late in December, 100 of the top high school football players gathered to take part in the Under Armour All-America Game. The rosters were loaded with five-star prospects and future NFL draft picks.
The All-America Game provides a real-life visual of the reality that kickers aren't valued as regular members of the football community. In their corner of the practice field, they're the green bean casserole on the Thanksgiving dinner plate, pushed to the side as to not interfere with the main dish.
In one corner of the practice field at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex, kicker Will Reichard was buying time, practicing kicks and even throwing passes to the end zone to the other kickers participating in the event.
He took a snap, rolled out of the pocket and floated a touchdown pass to a receiver as if he were the five-star quarterback whose name is mentioned as the next big thing.
This post was edited on 1/28/19 at 2:39 pm
2
Posted on 1/28/19 at 1:48 pm to TidalSurge1
quote:
The reality, though, is that Reichard is the only three-star commitment in a star-studded Alabama recruiting class that touts 25 ESPN 300 commitments.
He's a kicker. Just a kicker.
"I make fun with all the commits all the time: 'Sorry for bringing down the class average,'" Reichard said. "It's understandable, kickers aren't as valuable as a receiver or quarterback, but it's all good."
"He's a kicker," five-star OT Amari Kight laughed in response to his future teammate's three-star rating. "We'll let it slide."
Justin Eboigbe, an ESPN 300 signee in Alabama's class, noted that the group of commits have a running group text message in which they all communicate. Reichard is often included, but the others in the group chat can tell Reichard wants to be a bigger part of the team and feel valued.
"The kicker is usually the life of the party," Eboigbe said. "They usually do the most to try to blend into the group, so they're usually the life of the party to fit in."
This post was edited on 1/28/19 at 2:33 pm
Posted on 1/28/19 at 1:55 pm to TidalSurge1
It had and always will baffle mtr that a school like Alabama cannot find a decent kicker. From recruiting or transfers or even walk ons, it seems like everyone simply cannot get the job done.
I know the pressure of being a football player for Alabama is strong and expectations are high. I wonder if that has something to do with it.
I know the pressure of being a football player for Alabama is strong and expectations are high. I wonder if that has something to do with it.
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