James Burnip 'more relaxed' entering third year as Alabama punter

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama punter James Burnip has improved each year he’s been in the Crimson Tide program in terms of consistency, head coach Nick Saban said a week ago.

Entering his third year at Alabama – and in the United States, in general – Burnip said he’s “very comfortable” in advance of his redshirt junior campaign as a member of the Crimson Tide.

“I would say my first year was my first time ever playing football – putting pads on and having a full, live rush,” said Burnip in his first-ever media availability. “So I was pretty nervous back there, standing there, like, didn’t know what to expect really, still didn’t know how to read the rush or anything. Then coming into this year, I’m a lot more relaxed back there.

“I’m looking forward to going out there, if we need to. But yeah, I’m a lot more relaxed, just trying to get my consistency there so I can just keep doing my job at a high level.”

Burnip was the only Alabama punter to see the field for the second year in a row in 2022, and he produced better numbers than his debut season in 2021. The Australian punted 44 times for 1,861 yards for an average of 42.3 yards per punt last year – an average that was more than three yards better than he tallied two years ago (39.13), his first year of college football.

As the Crimson Tide gets closer to the start of its 2023 campaign, Burnip shared what tweaks or adjustments he has made to his punting style to continue to develop as the Tide specialist.

“I think just really just trying to stay parallel through it,” Burnip said. “Lots of times my freshman year and sometimes my sophomore year, my swing leg would come through and would come across my body. I’m just trying to stay through the ball and get as much push on that football, just coming through it and shortening my steps.

“Just everything I can do to get the most power with every kick.”

Burnip is one of three international players on Alabama’s roster, along with defensive lineman Isaiah Hastings (Canada) and offensive lineman Olaus Alinen (Finland). He said he has tried to take the Finnish freshman under his wing the same way wide receiver John Metchie did for him when he first arrived in Tuscaloosa. Burnip also shared how well-known the Crimson Tide is in his native country, reiterating Saban’s point about Alabama being a global brand.

“It’s kind of big over there,” Burnip said. “It’s always been Alabama as the biggest one over there. You don’t see a lot of college football down there. It’s a lot of NFL teams. But I’ve been home twice since being here and I’ll be wearing like an Alabama jumper or something and someone will come down and say, ‘Roll Tide,’ to me. I’m like, ‘Am I in the right country right now?’”

Burnip reviews first trip to Outback Steakhouse

Burnip experienced a small taste of home earlier in camp when he visited Outback Steakhouse in Tuscaloosa. Speaking to reporters, the first question he was asked was for his review.

“I had the Bloomin’ Onion to start,” Burnip said. “It was pretty good, pretty solid. That’s what I’ve heard a lot since I’ve got here is, ‘You’ve gotta try the Bloomin’ Onion.’ Then I had pasta with steak and shrimp, I think, and yeah, it was pretty solid. It was a good feed, something different.

“I’d give it a solid 7.5, 8 out of 10.”

Now three years with the Tide, Burnip has had time to get adjusted to life in the South. But did he experience any culture shock when he first made the move from Australia to Alabama?

“I think everybody’s just a lot more nicer here, honestly,” Burnip said. “There’s a lot more manners and stuff like that. Growing up, we’d never really say, ‘Yes sir, yes ma’am.’ But that’s become a big part of my vocabulary now. I think just those little things and you guys cook your food a lot different here. You like to have it all fried. That, as well, is a lot different.”

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