Throughout 2024, Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer regularly praised punter James Burnip, calling him a “game changer,” one who can “flip the field really on any kick.”
DeBoer wants a “game changer” for Alabama special teams in 2025 even with Burnip gone and new starters at punter and kicker. But it’s more than just the kicking game for the Crimson Tide that could play that role.
Here’s a look at how the unit is shaping up to look like this fall.
How did Alabama football special teams perform in 2024?
As a punter, Burnip provided consistency for Alabama, according 45.37 yards per kick for a unit that was one of four teams in the SEC to average four or more punts per game. But it was the Crimson Tide’s performance in punt coverage that made the unit special. Alabama allowed eight yards on eight punt returns all season, the fewest across college football.
Alabama didn’t have an explosive kickoff or punt return unit in 2024. On kickoffs, primarily manned by Emmanuel Henderson and Kendrick Law, Alabama had one returned for more than 50 yards. On punt returns, split between Ryan Williams and Cole Adams, Alabama averaged 8.96 yards per return with four returns of 20-plus yards, and one longer than 30 yards. No Alabama returner scored in 2024.
After landing high-profile Miami (Ohio) kicker transfer Graham Nicholson before the 2024 season, Alabama tied for the fifth-fewest field goal tries in college football, making eight of 10 tries across 13 games. Alabama kickers connected on all 57 PAT attempts last season.
What will Alabama football special teams unit look like in 2025?
Alabama looks like it will have a brand new kicker and punter in 2025.
With the loss of Burnip to the NFL, California freshman Alex Asparuhov, who missed spring with an injury, and Colorado School of Mines transfer Blake Doud are expected to battle for starting reps in the fall. And with Nicholson gone, Conor Talty, who worked kickoffs for the Crimson Tide last year, is expected to take on place kicking duties.
Alabama lost both Henderson and Law to the transfer portal. But both of the Crimson Tide’s primary punt returners — Adams and Williams — are back for 2025 along with Jaylen Mbakwe, who had two punt returns and one kickoff return in 2024.
Will Alabama have playmakers on special teams in 2025?
While Alabama may have difficulty replacing Burnip in the punt game, special teams playmakers could potentially take a step forward in the return game.
With players like Williams and Mbakwe heading into their second seasons, the Crimson Tide will look for its first punt return touchdown since 2024 and its first kickoff return touchdown since 2021 from athletes with multiple seasons of development inside the program.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
