The wait is almost over. Alabama is set to kick off its fall camp today with its first practice at 2:30 p.m. CT. Before players hit the field, BamaInsider will wrap up its preseason position group series by examining the special teams unit.
Where things stand now
JK Scott and Andy Pappanastos are gone, presenting Alabama with holes at the punter and kicker positions. More likely than not, those two roles will be handed to freshmen as the Crimson Tide looks to begin what it hopes is a steady four-year plan on special teams.
Scott will be difficult to replace as he leaves Alabama as the school's record holder for career punting yards (11,074), attempts (243) and punting average (45.6 yards per punt). The All-American punter also kicked off and even came on for a few long field-goal attempts. While it’s unlikely his production will be matched by anyone this year, Alabama will now turn to freshman Skyler DeLong to handle the punting duties. DeLong came to Alabama as a three-star signee and was regarded as one of the best punters in the 2018 class. During A-Day, he recorded an average of 39.4 yards per punt on 10 punts while pinning his opposition inside the 20 six times.
Despite his rocky performance in the national championship game, Pappanastos will also be tough to replace. Last season, he connected on a respectable 18 of 25 (72 percent) field-goal attempts while hitting all 56 of his extra-point tries. Redshirt freshman Joseph Bulovas is the lead candidate to fill that role this season. The former No. 1 kicker in the 2017 class showed significant improvement this spring, sharing A-Day MVP honors by connecting on 5 of 7 field goals, including makes from 48 yards and 49 yards out. Bulovas’ strong leg will also be relied on to replace Scott on kickoffs.
During fall camp last season, Bulovas struggled to maintain consistency on his field-goal attempts. Alabama should have a bit of insurance this year if similar problems occur. The Crimson Tide brought in graduate transfer Austin Jones this offseason as a potential option for short-range kicks. While the former Temple kicker does not have as strong of a leg as Bulovas, he has been reliable from an accuracy standpoint, connecting on 50 of 67 (74.6 percent) of his field-goal attempts with the Owls.
Alabama will not have to make any replacements in the return game as its primary punt returners and kick returners will be back this year. Trevon Diggs, Xavian Marks and Henry Ruggs III handled most of the punt return duties, while Ruggs also served as the lead returner on kickoffs. That trio could once again factor into the equation this year, along with newcomers such as freshmen Jaylen Waddle and Slade Bolden.
What we expect
Just because Alabama can use a two-kicker system doesn’t necessarily mean it will. Bulovas looked impressive during A-Day, handling the pressures of kicking in front of a large crowd inside of Bryant-Denny Stadium. He was perfect inside of 40 yards, hitting from 26 yards, 33 yards and 35 yards out, while his two misses came from 43 yards and 47 yards out. If Bulovas can maintain the same consistency on shorter kicks this fall, Jones might not be needed.
Jones’ range will play a big factor in how Alabama approaches the position. According to an article from AL.com, Jones’ high school coach said he is reliable from 40-48 yards. If that’s the case, a solid performance this fall could see him take over the primary kicking duties with Bulovas coming in for the rare long attempt similar to what Scott did last season. However, if Jones’ range tops out in the low 40s, it would create more balanced roles for the two. Either way, both kickers will have plenty of opportunities to prove themselves in what will serve as a month-long audition.
The other interesting battle comes at punt return, an area Alabama will look to improve on from last season. Ruggs and Diggs step into starting roles on offense and defense respectively, meaning coaches might not want to risk injuring them on return duty. That could open a door for Marks to prove he can be trusted.
The highest priority for whoever wins the job will be securing the football, something that head coach Nick Saban has stressed frequently. During a two-week period last October, Alabama saw all three of its returners struggle with holding onto the ball as Diggs and Ruggs combined to muff three punts against Arkansas while Xavian Marks mishandled a punt and fumbled another the following game against Tennessee.
Waddle is perhaps Alabama’s most exciting option given his ability to make defenders miss in open space. Earlier this offseason, the former five-star told BamaInsider that Alabama coaches have already talked with him about competing for a role on both punt return and kick return.
“I’ve got an opportunity in that area; I’m just trying to work on that,” Waddle said. “I’m just looking to bring the same old, same old, but this is a different opportunity. Hopefully, I bring some excitement with me and can be a great returner.”
Potential surprise
Waddle isn’t the only true freshman who could make a difference in the return game as Bolden also has the potential to break big plays with the ball in his hand. The four-star athlete spent the spring working with the safeties but is listed as a receiver on Alabama’s current roster. While it’s not known where Alabama will use the 5-11, 200-pound athlete, don’t be surprised if he gets a look on return duties in some capacity.
“I can see him doing that and playing special teams,” said Rivals Southeast recruiting analyst Woody Wommack. “I think the coaches are going to love him; they’re going to love his attitude and everything like that. I think he finds his way onto the field.”
Bolden played quarterback during his senior season of high school, passing for 1,622 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for 1,460 yards and 20 more scores on the ground. Alabama will want to find a way to utilize that athleticism anyway it can.
