World-class Alabama football player is ready and available ahead of the world record game

Alabama football kicker Will Reichard prepares for final home game as record draws near

Alabama football will honor 23 players Saturday with its senior day ceremony, when the Crimson Tide faces Chattanooga at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The continuing effects of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic year given out by the NCAA has clouded who will actually be done with both Alabama and college football.

One player who will be done for sure is Will Reichard, who is out of eligibility. He’ll have a chance to do something special on his way out, sitting just 21 points away from tying the NCAA’s all-time points record and 22 from owning it outright.

According to Reichard, his proximity to the mark isn’t front of mind at the moment.

“I don’t really know how many points I am away from it,” Reichard said. “I think when my career’s over I’ll really care about it but right now, not too concerned about it honestly. I’m more focused on being able to play well this week and kind of continue to prepare to play well and continue to practice well, continue to grow. That’s what I’m concerned about, not too concerned about (the record) right now, to be honest.”

Reichard currently sits third on the all-time list with 509 points, behind former Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds (530) and Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon (522). He’s already broken the SEC’s all-time scoring mark.

The Hoover native was asked what it would mean to play his final game in Tuscaloosa.

“I think after last week’s game was over kind of the rest of the weekend, these last couple days, I’ve kind of thought about it a little bit,” Reichard said. “It’s a little sad that it’s gonna be my last time at Bryant-Denny. But super thankful to have been able to play here for the last five years, it’s been a huge blessing. Really thankful for coach Saban giving me the opportunity to do so and I’m really excited to run on that field one last time.”

Reichard didn’t attempt a field goal against Kentucky last week, but was a perfect 7-for-7 on extra points. That came after an LSU performance, where he missed two field goals.

According to the kicker, he had his plant foot too tight and kept his hips open on both of the misses, causing the ball to go wide right. On Tuesday, he was asked about shaking off the bad game.

“Obviously I didn’t do too well in the game,” Reichard said. “Went 0-for-2 on field goals. Pride myself on not missing two field goals in a row, ended up happening. Didn’t flush it too well after the first one, but moved on from that. Going to continue to try to get better and obviously I want to make every kick that I have an opportunity to do so, but that’s just not realistic, to be able to make every single kick that you have, even though that’s what you want to try to be able to achieve.”

Reichard stuck around after last season for a fifth year of eligibility, hoping to strengthen his kickoff skills, looking for more touchbacks. Now, he and the Tide have a chance to accomplish their goals, still alive in the College Football Playoff race with an SEC championship game berth secured.

That all has come despite a loss to Texas in Week 2, where Alabama looked like a wreck. With the team now firing on cylinders, Reichard described its mindset during the turnaround.

“Our team just kind of put our heads down and continued to work,” Reichard said. “We don’t really listen to any of the outside noise. We don’t really care. It’s rat poison anyways. Continue to try to get better, continue to try to look in the mirror and look at the film and see what we can do to get better and I think we’ve done that and hopefully we can continue to do that.”

Alabama and Chattanooga are scheduled to face off at 11 a.m. CT Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be aired on SEC Network+.