If there was a position on the team for the Alabama Crimson Tide to be concerned about headed into year one of the Kalen DeBoer era — it was kicker.

Coming from five of the best seasons of place kicker play that Alabama has had in a very long time with Will Reichard, a kicker battle between Justin Talty, Upton Bellenfant, and Reid Schuback looked like reality.

But in the era of the transfer portal where you can simply plug holes with players from other schools, DeBoer did not hesitate when the chance came to upgrade the position.

Graham Nicholson from Miami (OH) committed to play for Alabama late Sunday evening. Nicholson was the nation’s top kicker in 2023, beating out Reichard for the Lou Groza Award as the most outstanding kicker in the country.

https://twitter.com/gnicholson99/status/1782209258387341517

Nicholson converted on 26 of his 27 field goal attempts with a career long of 52 yards. Even more impressively, Nicholson was 10 of 11 on attempts 40 yards or longer as well as 52 of his 73 kickoff attempts resulting in a touchback.

He is the 10th overall transfer to arrive to Alabama for 2024 in a group that contains several pieces on offense from Washington as well as safety Keon Sabb from Michigan.

Nicholson figures to be an immediate starter at Alabama this season.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP