Things seem to be going well in the kicking world of Alabama football as the Will Reichard era ends and Karen DeBoer enters her first year with the Crimson Tide.
The University of Alabama on Sunday signed Miami (Ohio) kicker Graham Nicholson, winner of the 2023 Lou Groza Award, given annually to the best kicker in college football. He will replace Reichard, who became NCAA's all-time leading scorer in 2023 after a prolific five-year career in Tuscaloosa.
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While Reichard achieved the feat while at Alabama, Nicholson made 27 field goals on 28 attempts last season, including 10 of 11 from at least 40 yards, the best in the nation. He made a convincing argument as a kicker.
He has committed to DeBoer University and Alabama over in-state Ohio State, and the state was also reportedly interested in his service, with one year of eligibility remaining. .
Here's what you need to know about Nicholson after his commitment to the Crimson Tide.
graham nicholson stats
Nicholson is coming off an impressive season in 2023, tying for third in the nation in field goal percentage (96.4%), seventh in field goal attempts (28), and second in field goal attempts (27). I am trying to do.
His only mistake of the season came in the MAC Championship game against Toledo, when he missed his third attempt of the day from 48 yards. In the 23-14 win over Miami (Ohio State), he also made a 33-yard field goal and two of his 40-yard field goals.
In total, he went 1/1 on field goal attempts of less than 20 yards. 6/6 between 20 and 29 yards. 10/10 between 30-39 yards. 9/10 between 40 and 49 yards. and 1/1 from over 50 yards. He added 35 of his 37 points this year. Here's a year-by-year look at his stats at Miami (Ohio):
- 2021: 15 of 20 field goals (75%); 36 of 40 extra point attempts (90%)
- 2022: 18 of 23 field goals (78.2%), 26 of 27 extra point attempts (96.3%)
- 2023: 27 of 28 field goals (96.4%), 35 of 37 extra point attempts (94.6%)
