Alabama Football: Projected post-spring 2019 depth chart

Special Teams

K

1. Will Reichard (FR) OR Joseph Bulovas (RS SO)

P

1. Skyler DeLong (SO)
2. Will Reichard (FR)

KR

1. Henry Ruggs III AND Brian Robinson Jr. (JR)
2. Trevon Diggs (SR)
3. Chardarius Townsend (RS SO)

PR

1. Jaylen Waddle (SO)
2. Xavier Williams (RS FR)
3. Trevon Diggs (SR)

The kicking game was still an adventure during the spring, and a collective groan can be heard across the entire state when it’s brought up. Kicking went smoother than expected during A-Day, though, and at this point I would be surprised if Will Reichard, the nation’s top-ranked kicker in the 2019 class, doesn’t beat out Joseph Bulovas for the job.

The bar is so low in Tuscaloosa that even extra points that don’t hug the uprights are praised. Reichard was rock-solid on extra points during A-Day, while Bulovas, who missed six last season, plunked one off the uprights that still found its way through.

This battle will continue throughout the spring and fall, but if Reichard is unable to separate from Bulovas, then expect another frustrating season in that department.

One of the most improved players this spring was sophomore punter Skyler DeLong, who was impressive with his kicks during the A-Day game. DeLong had a brutal freshman season, averaging just 34 yards-per-punt on 16 attempts before getting benched for walk-on Mike Bernier. He has looked much better after working hard this offseason, but it’s tough to feel confident until he does it in live game action. Kicking is as much mental as it is anything, and he lost all confidence in his ability in 2018.

Alabama could once again boast an electrifying return game. Sophomore Jaylen Waddle should once again return punts. Waddle was a threat to return a punt for a score every time he touched the ball, and finished fifth in the country with an average of 14.6 yards-per-return.

It will be interesting what Saban decides to do with the kick return game. Josh Jacobs was the primary kick returner last year, but he’s now off to the NFL. Senior Trevon Diggs has a lot of experience as both a kick and punt returner, but Saban might be reluctant to utilize a starting corner as a returner this year, especially after Diggs’s injury last year.

Henry Ruggs could be a game-changer as a kick returner with is lightning speed. With Alabama’s depth at receiver, the benefit of having Ruggs back there could outweigh the concern. Brian Robinson usually lined up alongside Jacobs last year, and could do the same this year for Ruggs, Diggs, or even Xavier Williams who has gotten reps at both kick and punt returns.

While Alabama’s return units should be among the best in college football once again, all eyes will continue to be on the failure, or the redemption, of the Tide’s oft-beleaguered kicking game.