The Alabama Crimson Tide football program has entered a new era. Legendary head coach Nick Saban retired in the offseason, and former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer took over. Many thought the program would regress heavily in 2024. Those people might be in for a rude awakening. DeBoer kept many players and brought in top-tier talent in the transfer portal. The program landed another talented player late Sunday night, kicker Graham Nicholson.
Alabama Crimson Tide Land K Graham Nicholson
— Graham Nicholson (@gnicholson99) April 22, 2024
While a kicker might not seem like the most exciting addition to a team, this is no ordinary kicker. Graham Nicholson is the reigning Lou Groza Award winner which recognizes the nation’s best kicker. With Miami (OH) last season, he hit 27 of 28 kicks, with ten of those makes being from over 40 yards. His long was 52 yards on the season. He had this to say in his social media announcement.
“I want to thank Miami University and everyone involved for believing in me out of high school and welcoming me into a family. I want to thank Coach Martin for the trust he has placed in me and for being an unbelievable leader and mentor over the past 3 years.
I have decided to transfer for my last season and will be finishing my college career at the University of Alabama!!
I am extremely thankful for this opportunity and excited to help compete and win a national title!! Roll Tide!!”
This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Nicholson. The Alabama Crimson Tide has been the premier college football program over the past decade. Even with Saban gone, the expectations have not changed. Alabama expects to compete for the SEC title and a national championship. Can they keep the dynasty going?
Can Alabama Keep Up Their Success?
They say all good things must come to an end, but there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Jalen Milroe is back at quarterback and should be a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate. DeBoer hasn’t just landed Graham Nicholson in the transfer portal. Texas A&M defensive lineman LT Overton, former Michigan safety Keon Sabb, and a slew of former Huskies came over in the fall. With the existing talent already on the roster, this team is as talented as ever.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will have to work harder to win the SEC in 2024. Texas and Oklahoma joined the conference, and the team had to play the Georgia Bulldogs regularly. That matchup is early in the season and will be a good test of where this team is early in the season. With the expanded College Football Playoff, this college football season will be one of the most exciting ever. Don’t be surprised if the Alabama Crimson Tide are contenders again even with all the changes.
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Matt Brown has been following sports since he was a kid. It does not matter what sport he is in; he tends to be an expert in it. When he is not glued to following sports, he is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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