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Alabama

Will Reichard details helping James Burnip get adjusted to American football

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•08/18/22
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(Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Alabama sophomore punter James Burnip is part of a growing trend of punters and kickers in American football that come from Australia. The trend has definitely increased in the past ten years across the college football landscape. That being said, there are obviously plenty of adjustments that come with moving from Australia to America to play college football. Crimson Tide kicker Will Reichard recently discussed the biggest adjustments for the Aussie in his new home.

“You know, I think…number one for him was just getting used to people rushing. When they play Australian football over there…it’s a lot bigger field and you’re not having a bunch of real guys having to come rush on you. That was one thing, I think. And really, just getting used to making friendships, being comfortable, just living here, and going through what we go through as football players, I think, was a big adjustment for him. But, you know, he’s had a lot of time to get used to it and I think he’s thriving right now in camp,” Reichard said.

Last year as a redshirt freshman, Burnip won the starting punt job for Alabama in fall camp. He averaged just over 39 yards per punt last year and his longest punt was a 50-yarder. The Australian also dropped 15 punts inside the 20-yard line during his first season of college football. He also earned special teams player of the week honors from the Alabama coaching staff for his performance against the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2021 SEC Championship Game. In that one, Burnip averaged 43.8 yards per punt and even boomed a punt 50-yards for his longest of the season. He also dropped one punt inside the 20 during that contest.

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Standing at 6-foot-6, 216-pounds, Burnip hails from Mount Macedon in Victoria, Australia. He attended high school at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia. Growing up, he played Australian rules football in the Riddell District Football League for Macedon from 2011-2019, according to the Ridell District Football/Netball League website.