As Alabama football special teams senior analyst Jay Nunez prepares for a crucial game against Oklahoma this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC, the matchup holds special significance beyond its importance for the Crimson Tide. Nunez, who served as a special teams analyst for the Sooners from 2022 to 2023, is not only excited to face his former team, but the game also marks a personal homecoming to the state where he grew up.
Raised in Alva, Oklahoma, a small town near the Kansas border, Nunez spent much of his youth traveling to Norman to attend Oklahoma games, dreaming of one day being part of the program. His connection to the state runs deep, and working with the Sooners was a dream come true for him.
“I haven’t slept at all. I don’t want to say it’s emotional, but I grew up in Oklahoma,” Nunez said. “My senior year, I played Friday night games, then got in the car with my best friend, drove three hours, and watched OU games. Working there for two years was literally a dream come true.”
While Nunez has since moved on to Alabama, the Sooners’ special teams have continued to thrive. Punter Luke Elzinga has averaged 45.7 yards per punt, while kickers Tyler Keltner and Zach Schmit have converted 14 of 16 field goals. Oklahoma’s coverage units have been effective, holding opponents to just 5.4 yards per punt return and 16.9 yards per kickoff return.
For Nunez, Saturday’s game against Oklahoma is more than just a professional challenge; it’s an emotional return to his roots, reflecting on how far he’s come in his career while honoring his beginnings in the Sooner State.
