Special Teams Outlook for 2026
As Alabama prepares for the 2026 campaign, the coaching staff is still fine‑tuning two critical spots on the depth chart: the placekicker and the punter. While the offense returns with a wealth of experience, the special‑teams unit enters the season with a handful of candidates vying for starting roles.
Conor Talty, who handled kicking duties for the Crimson Tide last year, is the incumbent at kicker. He converted all 48 extra‑point attempts and 16 of 23 field‑goal tries in 2025, a performance that placed him near the bottom of the SEC in field‑goal accuracy. Coach Kalen DeBoer has publicly praised Talty’s raw talent, describing him as “extremely talented” and emphasizing the need for consistency.
Kicker Competition
Enter Lorcan Quinn, a transfer from Marshall who earned first‑team All‑Sun Belt honors after hitting 21 of 26 field goals. Quinn also brings a unique background, having spent five years playing Gaelic football before arriving in the United States. DeBoer has said that both Talty and Quinn possess the skill set to thrive in the SEC, turning the position into a genuine competition during preseason practices.
Punting Options
At punter, the Tide will field three options: Alex Asparuhov, Anderson Green and transfer Adam Watford. Watford arrives from North Alabama, where he logged 32 punts that traveled at least 50 yards. Asparuhov and Green have limited collegiate game experience, but DeBoer remains confident that each can handle the responsibilities of flipping field position.
The first test will come on September 5, when Alabama opens the season against East Carolina. The matchup will not only set the tone for the Tide’s schedule but also provide an early glimpse of how the new kicking and punting units will perform under game conditions.