Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
Alabama
Alabama Lands Award-Winning Kicker
Special teams, special plays, special players. It was the one phase of football that seemed to plague Nick Saban and Alabama during his dynasty with the Crimson Tide. Alabama’s one fault was their kicking game, and it arguably cost them a national championship run in 2013 with the infamous “Kick-Six.”
Then, Crimson Tide fans worried no more when Will Reichard took over as the Tide’s kicker his freshman season in 2019. When Alabama won the national championship in 2020, Reichard did not miss a single kick that season, causing Alabama fans around the world to rejoice that Alabama may have finally solved their kicking concerns.
Now, in 2024, Reichard is off the the NFL to showcase his talents to the league, and Alabama fans felt those kicking concerns creep back into their minds. Reichard became the NCAA All-time points leader in 2024 before departing for the league, and Alabama fans had concerns about the next man up on the roster. Those concerns were compounded when Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said the Tide was hosting an “open competition” at kicker during spring practice.
Alabama’s annual A-Day scrimmage did nothing to stall the fears of fans. Conor Talty, the person who was supposed to replace Reichard, missed a 45-yard field goal during the scrimmage. The other kickers on Alabama’s roster did not attempt a kick over 30 yards.
Alabama was linked to a kicker in the portal, and they now have their man. The Crimson Tide has landed a commitment from Graham Nicholson from Miami of Ohio, per his X (Formerly Twitter) account.
Nicholson, a junior, made 27/28 kicks during the 2023 campaign, with his longest field goal being 52 yards. He went 35/37 on extra points for the Redhawks.
If that name sounds familiar to Crimson Tide fans, it should, Nicholson won. the Lou Groza Award, handed out to the best kicker in college football annually, in 2023. Reichard was also a finalist for the award.
Alabama’s 2024 A-Day
Gallery Credit: Wyatt Fulton
Alabama Football Spring Practice 4-9-2024
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Alabama Football’s Ninth Spring Practice of 2024
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Alabama
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Alabama
Super Bowl contender interested in Alabama’s Ty Simpson in NFL Draft
Alabama’s Ty Simpson was offered over $6 million to return to college football for the 2026 season.
He declined, stating that he wouldn’t turn his back on the Alabama Crimson Tide. Instead, he reaffirmed his desire to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, and the quarterback is expected to be taken in the first two rounds this April.
While Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is locked in as the No. 1 pick to the Las Vegas Raiders, it becomes much harder to gauge where Simpson will go.
If scouts only looked at the first three-thirds of the season, Simpson would be an easy top-two selection alongside Mendoza. But after a disappointing end to the campaign and regression, there’s an argument that he might not even get selected in the first round or be the second signal-caller taken off the board.
But Simpson, at his peak, showed he can be one of the best QBs in the nation, and one Super Bowl-contending team is reportedly very interested in the Crimson Tide leader.
While the Los Angeles Rams know that reigning MVP Matthew Stafford will be under center for them in 2026, the 38-year-old veteran is heading towards retirement.
Per ESPN, the Rams think Simpson is “their type” of QB and could be a perfect successor for Stafford. The plan would be to have Simpson sit behind the MVP for a season or two before taking the reins in Sean McVay’s complex, motion-heavy offense.
For Simpson, it might be the perfect spot for him. After being open about how he was hurt down the stretch, it’d allow the 23-year-old time to learn the Rams system and be taught by one of the best pocket passers of his generation.
The Rams have two first-round picks in April’s draft. And although they are currently projected to go for a cornerback or wide receiver with the higher of their two picks (Atlanta Falcons’), a selection of Simpson with their late round selection might be in the cards.
Alabama
Army sergeant major sentenced to prison for secretly filming guests in Alabama home
A noncommissioned officer in the Army is heading to prison after being sentenced to four years by a military judge for using a hidden camera to film guests in the bathroom of his home in Alabama.
According to a story from Stars and Stripes, Command Sgt. Maj. Joshua Prescott, 42, was given a four-year and six-month prison sentence last week, as well as a reduction in rank to private at a hearing at Fort Rucker.
Previously, the senior enlisted leader of the 1st battalion, 223rd Aviation Regiment, was suspended after being arrested in July of 2024.
“It is unfortunate that the victims had some of their most private moments video recorded without their consent,” Maj. Morghan Beaudoin, a prosecutor in the case, said. Adding that one of them was a girl. “It was an egregious violation of trust and privacy.”
“The quick response and thorough investigation from Fort Rucker Army CID and Enterprise Police Department, as well as the diligent efforts of my co-counsel, Capt. Beckwith and Capt. Bloodsaw, ensured that the accused would be held accountable for his unlawful actions,” Beaudoin added.
“The thorough investigative work by our Special Agents was instrumental in achieving this conviction, and while the pain inflicted on the victims can never be erased, this sentencing delivers a measure of justice and holds Prescott accountable for his actions,” Special Agent in Charge Ryan O’Connor of the Army CID Southeast Field Office continued.
Prescott pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent recording.
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