Miami (Ohio) kicker transfer Graham Nicholson commits to Alabama

Miami (Ohio) kicker Graham Nicholson has committed to Alabama out of the NCAA transfer portal, he announced on his Twitter account on Sunday evening.

The talented kicker will replace outgoing kicker Will Reichard, who is widely expected to become an NFL Draft pick later this week. He’s certainly got the credentials to do so.

The former Miami (Ohio) kicker was the 2023 Lou Groza Award winner as the nation’s best kicker.

“I want to thank Miami University and everyone involved for believing in me out of high school and welcoming me into a family,” Nicholson wrote. “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!!”

Graham Nicholson is coming off a season in which he went 27-of-28 on field goal attempts with a long of 52 and his only miss coming from between 40-49 yards. He also made 35-of-37 extra-point attempts for the RedHawks.

In three seasons Nicholson went 60-of-71 (84.5%) on field goals with a long of 52 yards.

He’ll have big shoes to fill replacing Reichard, who was one of the most prolific kickers in college football history.

Reichard was remarkably consistent for five years with the Crimson Tide, emerging as one of the best kickers in the nation. And he came through in big spots countless times.

As a senior in 2023, Reichard managed to go 22-of-25 on field goal attempts, hitting a long of 52 yards. He finished as the NCAA’s career point leader with 547 points, making 84 field goals and 295 PATs.

He finished as a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, which Graham Nicholson ultimately won.

During his entire career at Alabama, Reichard finished 84-of-100 on field goal attempts, with that long of 52 yards, which he made multiple times. He also occasionally punted, something that will undoubtedly raise his NFL Draft profile in the eyes of multiple teams.