June 10, 2015
Kicker waiting for call
Andrew Bone
TideSports.com Senior Recruiting Analyst
Eddy Pineiro, kicker from ASA College in Miami, Fla., never expected an opportunity to go to college on a football scholarship. He was a star soccer player growing up until he was asked to kick in only a few games for his high school football team in desperate need of a kicker during his senior season.
"I've played soccer my whole life," said Pineiro. "I was asked to come out and kick for my high school football team (Miami Sunset). They really needed some help. I did it as a favor. I only kicked in about five or six games. It was my first time ever doing it.
"I am currently on scholarship for soccer at ASA. I have been training with a couple of kicking instructors, but I have not been kicking on a football team."
National kicking coach Chris Sailer who helps produce many special teams camps for colleges throughout the country gave Pineiro some guidance on attending a few camps. He showed up in Tuscaloosa for Alabama's camp this past weekend.
"I had never been on Alabama's radar," he said. "One of my kicking coaches, Chris Sailer, told me he thought I had a really good chance to get recruited by Alabama and get some attention from other schools if I went up to the camp. I think I stood out more than the other kickers there."
He immediately caught the attention of the Alabama coaching staff including Nick Saban.
"I thought it went really good," said Pineiro. "I think I did good. I kicked a 65-yard field goal in front of Nick Saban. He then wanted to see me kick off. I kicked four straight through the uprights. Coach Saban then brought me up to his office.
"He told me they really like me. He said they were going to call me on Wednesday afternoon (today) and let me know something. They are bringing in a kicker from Canada. They have recruited him for a while. They want to give him an equal opportunity."
Pineiro prefers staying in close proximity to his family, but he felt at home when in Tuscaloosa.
"I loved it there," he said. "It felt like home. I felt really good being there. I loved the facilities. I loved the indoor and outdoor facilities. It was my first time being at Alabama.
"I love the way their fans support the team. They have one of the biggest fan bases in the country. The facilities are incredible. I usually feel homesick when I go away, but I felt at home there. I love the environment."
It wasn't long after his trip to Tuscaloosa he received his first two offers.
"I went to the University of Florida the next day," he said after camping at Alabama. I was supposed to kick in front of them, but they went ahead and brought me up to the head coach's (Jim McElwain) office.
"They told me I have an offer. It was really nice. It was my first offer. I then received a call from Miami. They said they went over my game tape, saw some kicking tapes and heard how I did at Alabama. They offered me as well.
"The (USC) Trojans called me yesterday. They told me not to commit to anyone just yet. They said they are going to talk to the head coach. They want to try to get me over there. Penn State has also being showing interest."
The talented kicker will wait to hear the decision from Alabama this afternoon, and then move forward with a possible decision.
"At the moment I like all the schools I went to," Pineiro said. "If Alabama offers I will sit down with my family and think hard about my decision. I will sit down with my mom, sister and brother and see if I am ready to leave my home town.- See more at:
https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1773728#sthash.cOkxOeEA.dpuf
