Will Reichard explains decision to return to Alabama for fifth season

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Will Reichard had planned on 2022 being his last season at Alabama. He accepted an invite to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl and went through the Crimson Tide’s pregame Senior Day ceremony, but shortly after Alabama topped Kansas State in the Sugar Bowl, Reichard made an announcement – he was coming back for a fifth year.

“I just felt like I had more room to improve before moving on to the next level,” Reichard said on Thursday. “Honestly, I didn’t want to leave this place. I have been super blessed to meet a lot of people here, building relationships I’ve been able to build. There are a lot of people across the country who would love to play here. It’s just something where I wanted to be able to come back and finish my career here.”

Last season, Reichard became the program’s all-time leader in career points (417) and extra points (234) and is up to fourth in career field goals. Now, he will have a chance to pad his lead and take over the top spot on just about all of the Crimson Tide’s placekicking records. 

In addition to the record books, Reichard adds efficiency and effectiveness to Alabama’s special teams units. He was 22-of-26 on field goals and a perfect 64-of-64 on extra points last season, moving his career percentages to 62-of-75 on field-goal tries and 240-of-242 on PATs.

But even a proven player like the fifth-year senior has areas he would like to improve.

“Always as we approach the offseason and approach the season, you always look at the previous year and what things you could do better as far as in-game situations,” Reichard said. “Technique, things like that. Always trying to find something to be better at for sure.”

As for specifics, Reichard said, “Last year, I think my biggest thing I think I could get better at is my kickoffs. As we got later into the year, when it got colder outside, I wasn’t hitting as many touchbacks, I wasn’t hitting the ball as far. My technique wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be. So that’s really something I worked on this offseason.”

It is not hyperbole to state that Reichard will likely leave Alabama as the program’s best kicker. But as he prepares for his final season, Reichard is not worried about his accomplishments.

“That’s not really that important for me. Honestly, I like to stay in the moment. Really excited about this season. Every season is a new challenge, every season is different. You play with new players, you have new coaches. Excited for that challenge and the journey we’re going to be on this year for sure.”

Reichard recalls viral tackle in 2022 Iron Bowl

Reichard has played in 46 career games at Alabama, and last year was the first time the kicker had to make a tackle. It came in the regular season finale against Auburn, and Reichard made a stop after kicking off to the Tigers. The Hoover, Ala., native was noticeably excited after bringing down the Auburn return man and hovered over him before returning to the sideline.

For the first time since last year’s Iron Bowl, Reichard discussed that fan-favorite moment.

“That was a fun one,” Reichard said. “First tackle of my career. I got a little bit lucky. If he runs through that hole 10 times, I probably would only beat him one out of 10. It is fun. The reaction kind of blew up a little bit. It was in the moment. I play with some fire at times. My emotion kind of came out a little bit. Definitely a fun play.”

Kickers aren’t typically known for their tackling ability, so when they do show up in the box score for a defensive stop, it gets noticed. But how much do the UA specialists work on tackling?

“We practice tackles every now and then,” Reichard said. “I’m not going to lie, it’s not a huge emphasis just because we have so many good players running down on coverage for us. Honestly, I’m not really going to be put in that position very much. But we do practice it every now and then.”

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