Alabama A&M: Bulldogs kicking game in good hands

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -Chance Wilson is the grizzled veteran. Daniel Horton is the new kid on the block.

Between them, Alabama A&M's kicking game appears to be in good hands.

Wilson, a redshirt junior, is entering his third year with the Bulldogs. After handling the punting duties two years ago, he added extra point and field goal responsibilities last year and will perform those duties again this season.

Horton, a freshman from Grissom, will handle kickoff duties.

"We've got a veteran in Chance and a veteran in (longsnapper) Jordan (Roman)," A&M coach Anthony Jones said. "When it comes to the punting game, that's half of it. Daniel is doing a good job kicking off. We've just got to find the right guys that can cover and make the field long for our opponents.

"Chance started off last year red hot kicking field goals and then cooled off. We're hoping he's able to start hot, stay hot and finish hot. If we can do that, we should have a solid kicking game."

Wilson, a second-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason pick, averaged almost 38 yards per punt last season and pinned opposing teams inside the 20-yard line 17 times. He made 8-of-11 field goals, including a long of 37 yards, and made all 27 of his extra points. He expects to be even better this season.

"Last year was more of let's see what he can do kind of year," said Wilson, a former Buckhorn High standout. "They have a little more confidence in me this year.



I missed three kicks last year and they're slowly backing it up each week to see how far I can go."

Wilson said he has increased his field goal distance by almost 15 yards.

"That comes with being more dedicated," he said. "I'm a lot stronger since I came here. We did a lot of speed training this summer and increased my leg speed. If we get the ball inside the 35 we'll be in good shape."

Horton has been a good find for the Bulldogs.

He originally wanted to go to Auburn, but was going to be a walk-on. Jones went to see him and invited him to visit and a deal was struck.

"I went by the campus and I really liked it," Horton said. "It worked out."

A long-time soccer player, Horton began kicking as a freshman back in Florida. His family moved to Huntsville his sophomore year and he was a three-year starter for the Tigers. He'll handle kickoff duties for A&M, an area where the Bulldogs have struggled.

"I was told the first kickoff last season was returned for a touchdown," Horton said. "I'm trying to get it more to the corner of the field. It's harder to return it there. They're getting closer to the end zone. I've been kicking to the 4 or 5-yard line. I've just go to keep working on it."

Wilson says Horton will get there.

"He has a big leg," Wilson said. "He's tall and athletic. If something happens to me, we trust that he can back me up because he's proven it in camp."