Alabama kicker Will Reichard announced Tuesday he has changed his mind about entering the 2023 NFL draft and instead will return to school for a fifth season.

Reichard made the announcement on Instagram, more than three weeks after accepting an invite to the Senior Bowl.

“After much prayer and guidance, I realized that I wasn’t ready to step away from Alabama football and the college experience,” he wrote. “I have decided to take advantage of my final year of eligibility and tee it up with my Crimson Tide teammates once more time in 2023.”

The kicker from Hoover, who is Alabama’s all-time career points leader, had a fifth season of eligibility available to him because of the NCAA’s COVID-19 waiver for the 2020 season.

When asked about returning for a fifth season on Nov. 22, Reichard declined to answer but was honored days later with the rest of Alabama’s seniors before the Iron Bowl. Reichard’s decision to accept his Senior Bowl invitation signaled his exit, and he confirmed that move last week to 247 Sports before the Sugar Bowl, saying he “wasn’t sure for a really long time.”

Reichard’s reversal means Alabama should have both its kicker and its punter, James Burnip, back for a third consecutive season in 2023. The Tide last month signed one of the top high school kickers, Illinois’ Conor Talty, to a letter of intent as part of its incoming freshmen class.

Reichard’s backup this season was Jack Martin, who transferred to Houston last month. Upton Bellenfant served as the No. 2 kicker in warmups of the Sugar Bowl.

Mike Rodak is an Alabama beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mikerodak.