Junior kicker Drew Alleman is no stranger to pressure.
Alleman nailed a 32-yard field goal in the waning seconds to lead Acadiana High School past Sulphur, 13-10, in the 2006 LHSAA 5A state championship game.
Since then, he’s only been able to imagine pushing the ball through the uprights and sending fans into a frenzy.
“I try to put myself in that situation every practice,” Alleman said. “When the game’s on the line, you have to make that kick.”
This year the spotlight will solely be on Alleman after patiently waiting three seasons behind legendary LSU kickers Colt David and Josh Jasper.
“He could have vied and competed against Jasper very evenly except there was no need to because we had … the best field goal kicker in the country,” said LSU coach Les Miles.
Jasper holds the LSU record for field goals in a season, and David scored a school-record 369 points during his four-year career.
“When you watch [Alleman] as a backup, you see talent and ability,” Miles said. “When you get that other guy out of the way, he steps up. It’s a completely different view, but it’s the same guy.”
Alleman, who has inherited the No. 30 jersey from his predecessor, said it was tough to watch Jasper knowing he may have been able to make the same kicks.
“I was ready to go,” Alleman said. “I was able to back him up, but he did an awesome job.”
Senior long snapper Joey Crappell has firsthand experience with all three kickers. Crappell has been on the team since 2007, David’s junior season.
“Drew’s just as good [as them],” Crappell said. “Drew has developed his leg watching Jasper. If he gets in the situation to kick a 60-yard field goal, I know he can do it.”
Alleman, a preferred walk-on, said spring practices have given him time to adjust to being the No. 1 guy on special teams.
“There’s a little difference [being a walk-on], but it’s not that bad,” Alleman said. “Now that I’m in there, I feel like everyone else.”
The Lafayette native said he hopes to prove worthy of a scholarship this season.
“It’s there,” Alleman said on the chance of earning a scholarship. “It’s coming. I just need a little more time.”
Alleman’s backup is redshirt freshman kicker Seth Mannon.
Punting duties aren’t the top priority for Alleman even though he said he’s in the running for a job, that appears to be open for the taking.
“I’m not necessarily ready to commit to the punter just yet, but I like what we’re doing,” Miles said.
Crappell said punters redshirt freshman Brad Wing and senior DJ Howard are neck-and-neck to replace former punter Derek Helton.
Alleman said Wing has been impressive in his first spring practices.
“He’s been hitting the ball great,” Alleman said. “He’s been unleashing those punts.”
Wing played one season for Parkview Baptist High School after moving from Melbourne, Australia.
“Brad Wing is punting. … He’s punting Australian,” Miles joked. “We need to translate a little bit better into the English version.”
The punting competition will heat up in the summer when James Hairston from Dallas joins the team.
Follow Michael Lambert on Twitter @TDR_Lambert.
 
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Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected]