Tide land Nicholson, nation’s top kicker, through portal

• Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Personnel WriterApr 21, 2024, 09:49 PM ET

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  • ESPN staff writer
  • Joined ESPN in 2011
  • Graduated from Central Michigan

Alabama needed a brand-new kicker for the 2024 season and was able to land the most current winner of the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s finest kicker.Graham Nicholson, who won the award this previous season for Miami(Ohio), revealed Sunday on social networks that he is transferring to Alabama.pic.twitter.com/ ZxrzGdWn5f– Graham Nicholson(@gnicholson99)April 22, 2024 The Crimson Tide were wanting to change Will Reichard, a finalist for the award who graduated.Nicholson made 27 of 28 basket attempts in 2023, which was good for the

third-best basket percentage among all kickers who had more than one attempt. He made 10 of 11 field goals

of 40 yards or more, and his longest make was 52 yards.Nicholson likewise had 73 kickoffs this previous season, 52 of which led to a touchback.New Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has actually been active in the transfer website, with 10 total transfers arriving this offseason. The group is headlined by former Texas

A&M protective lineman LT Overton, previous Michigan safety Keon Sabb and four previous Washington

players(offensive lineman Parker Brailsford, quarterback Austin Mack, receiver Germie Bernard and tight end Josh Cuevas).