Alabama legend Will Reichard becomes first kicker picked in 2024 NFL Draft
Refreshed: Apr. 27, 2024, 4:22 p.m.|Published: Apr. 27, 2024, 4:20 p.m.
Alabama’s Will Reichard responds subsequent to hitting game-dominating field objective at Texas
By Scratch Alvarez | nalvarez@al.com
He’s kicked his name into Alabama football history. He set the unequaled focuses record for the Southeastern Meeting, then, at that point, the whole NCAA. He was called a professional killer by his lead trainer. He procured a key to the city of Hoover. Furthermore, on Saturday, Will Reichard got a call from Minnesota.
The Vikings drafted Reichard in the 6th round of the 2024 NFL draft (203rd generally speaking).
He was the principal kicker off the board and ninth player from Scratch Saban’s last Alabama group to be chosen this end of the week. He’ll join previous colleague Dallas Turner, Minnesota’s first-round pick alongside Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
Reichard got back to Tuscaloosa for a last year to, to some degree, further develop his draft stock. He had exhibited consistency (547 complete focuses) and rose in pivotal turning points, similar to a 2022 game-champ at Texas. Reichard changed over 84 of 100 field-objective attempts and an additional 295 point endeavors.
“Will’s been as great a school kicker over the last 2-3 years as anyone might at any point request,” Saban said last August.
Reichard’s objective in 2023 was to better his touchback rate. Reichard delivered a vocation high 59.7% (min. 87 endeavors) of his opening shots where adversaries didn’t bring it back. That was almost 10% better than his 2022 rate. Reichard should now adjust the NFL’s new opening shot rules, boosting kickers to throw it out of the endzone.
Alabama’s keep going experts drafted were long snapper Thomas Fletcher (2021, Carolina Pumas) and punter JK Scott (2018, Green Narrows Packers). The last Tide kicker picked was David Beam in 1966.
Three Tide players have heard their names approached Day 3: Justin Eboigbe, Jase McClellan and presently Reichard.
Alabama 2024 NFL draft picks
Cycle 1
7. JC Latham, Tennessee Titans
17. Dallas Turner, Minnesota Vikings
24. Terrion Arnold, Detroit Lions
Cycle 2
41. Kool-Help McKinstry, New Orleans Holy people
57. Chris Braswell, Tampa Straight Marauders
Cycle 3
80. Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
Cycle 4
105. Justin Eboigbe, Los Angeles Chargers
Cycle 6
