MOBILE, Ala. — Redshirt freshman Aleem Sunanon will remain South Alabama’s placekicker and will continue to handle kickoffs, the Jaguars’ coaching staff has decided after reopening competition for the South Alabama placekicker job.
The coaches opened the position to competition following the Jaguars’ loss to Troy two weeks ago.
Competition for the Job
Sunanon held off redshirt freshman Logan Gunn and freshman walk-on Conner Kammerlocher to keep the position.
Sunanon originally won the job through competitions during spring practice and fall camp.
Season to Date
Sunanon missed two field goal attempts against Southern Utah early in the season. He has missed three of his last four official attempts, and four of his last five when counting a kick that was wiped out by a defensive penalty.
For the season, Sunanon has made 6 of 11 field goal attempts. He also had an extra-point attempt blocked in the loss to Troy.
South Alabama is in its second season as a full member of the Sun Belt Conference in football and plays its home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium under head coach Joey Jones.
How the Competition Played Out
The staff opened the job after South Alabama’s one-point loss to Troy, in which Sunanon missed a 22-yard field goal and had an extra point blocked. He also missed another attempt in that game that did not count because a penalty gave the Jaguars a first down.
Sunanon’s recent misses came from 17, 41 and 22 yards. His lone make in that stretch was a 24-yarder at Tennessee.
From the Troy game through the final practice before the Kent State homecoming game, coaches charted every kick by Sunanon, Gunn and Kammerlocher, with the job going to the most consistent and successful kicker over that two-week span. Head coach Joey Jones said he would not name the starter until after Thursday’s practice.
