Will Reichard is excited to go back home.

On Thursday, Alabama football players were moved out of the preseason dorms and into their apartments ahead of the 2023 season. Reichard, a January newlywed, told reporters he was looking forward to spending some more time with his wife, Amelia Auchmuty Reichard.

A year after what many expected to be his last in Tuscaloosa, Reichard is sticking around.

“I just felt like I had more room to improve before moving onto the next level,” Reichard said about his decision for one last season with the Tide. “Honestly, I didn’t want to leave this place. I’ve been super blessed to meet a lot of people here and build the relationships that I’ve been able to build. There’s a lot of people across the country that would love to play here. It’s just something I wanted to be able to come back and finish my career here.”

Alabama, like most college teams, seeks out a kicking recruit when it knows it’ll need one. And in 2023 the Tide signed Conor Talty, a five-star specialist from Illinois. When Reichard accepted an invite to the Reese’ Senior Bowl last December, it seemed like a natural end to one of the best runs for a Tide kicker in program history.

After developing into the nation’s No. 2 kicking prospect in 2019 at Hoover, Reichard stayed in-state and started his freshman year before succumbing to injuries. He returned for a perfect 2020 while the Tide won its last national title and remained steady the last two seasons. Along the way, Reichard helped change the perception of place-kickers in the Nick Saban dynasty, meeting big moments like the Tide’s first game-winning field goal in 18 years last fall at Texas.

This fall, Reichard made it clear he wants to improve on his kickoffs, noting he lost some technique and power as the weather cooled. He finished the year with 47 touchbacks on 94 tries.

UA punter James Burnip was among those surprised when Reichard announced he had changed his mind about the NFL on Jan. 3. The Australian was on a road trip with some friends when Burnip saw Reichard’s social media post, realized the news and gave Reichard a call.

“I like to stay in the moment,” Reichard said when asked if he’s considered all he’s accomplished with Alabama. “I’m really excited about this season. Every season is a new challenge. Every season is different. You play with new players, you have new coaches. Excited for that challenge and the journey we’re gonna be on this year.”

In 46 career games, Reichard converted 62 of his 75 field-goal attempts. He’s currently fourth in UA history with 62 makes and has the best percentage (82.7%) of anyone in the top 20. With another 22 makes — which Reichard hit each of the last two years — he’d break Leigh Tiffin’s all-time mark (83).

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].