Back to the Alabama Crimson Tide Newsfeed

Alabama Crimson Tide: No football experience needed for Tide scholly

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Lack of football experience is no problem for the latest Alabama Crimson Tide verbal commit. Australian kicker James Burnip has never played in an American-version football game.

That is no problem for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide. As reported by Andrew Bone of Rivals, Saban was so impressed with Burnip the young man was offered a scholarship that counts in the 2021 signing class. Scholarships are not usually available to Crimson Tide punters and kickers. Most have to ‘walk-on’ and hope to later earn a scholarship. Burnip must be a very special punter because Alabama football insiders have said for months there would be no more additions to the 2021 class, except – making a spot available if J.