Ranked as the nation’s No. 1 kicker on KornblueKicking.com and No. 3 on ChrisSailerKicking.com, it has not been a traditional rise to the top for Eddy Pineiro.

But less than six months after getting on radar with the noted kicking circuits, he is now in position to potentially land scholarship offers at Alabama, Miami and Florida -- programs which have been in close contact over the last week.

Pineiro, a freshman at Miami (Fla.) ASA College originally there to play soccer, visited Coral Gables on Thursday and Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the Crimson Tide’s specialist camp. Before he’d leave town, nearly every coach on Nick Saban’s staff would make it a point to speak to him in some capacity.

“It was fun, I got to kick against (three-star) Tucker McCann, who has an Alabama offer. I think I did good against him and some of the best in the nation, I think it went great,” he said. “I didn’t think that Nick Saban was going to be so impressed. He told me I have the potential to go to the NFL. He told me he wants to talk to me about how I can get back up there, see the school, maybe for a game. He told me he wanted to see me compete in the competition in the afternoon.

“I kicked a 65-yarder in front of him to win the competition.”

The #Fab50's #1 ranked JUCO kicker @eddypineiro1 made a BIG impression on Nick Saban today. Gainesville tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/1CgMyfL7nD — Brandon Kornblue (@KornblueKicking) June 6, 2015

Also logging kickoffs north of 80 yards, including one through the uprights to begin the day, Pineiro established himself as McCann’s top competition early on Saturday.

“I put my first kickoff through the uprights from the 35-yardline, he (Saban) was just smiling. The coaches were very excited. They were screaming out, ‘NFL bound!’ he said.

Alabama special teams coach Bobby Williams met with the emerging prospect as well.

“He was really impressed; he said he would really love to see me come to the school,” Pineiro said. “He said he’s never seen anybody kick the ball so hard.”

The interaction with coaches, which included some laughs with fellow Miami native and UA assistant Mario Cristobal in both English and Spanish, coupled with the atmosphere at the event and on campus provided a feeling he hadn’t yet experienced.

“I really, really liked it. They gave me a tour of the facilities after the kicking. I really like the town, everyone is friendly and nice,” he said. “Everyone loves Alabama, that’s the type of environment I want to be in. For the first time, I felt at home here. I’ve gone to other camps and felt a little homesick, but I came here and felt like I was in Miami.

“It would be an honor to get a scholarship to go to Alabama. It has been the greatest experience for me, I would love to go to Alabama.”

While an offer was not officially extended by the Crimson Tide staff, it is to be discussed as soon as Sunday. During that day, Pineiro is scheduled to visit with the Florida Gators, who have openly discussed a scholarship offer as well. Miami, which has yet to see him kick in person, could also be on the verge.

With a desire to pull the trigger this summer in order to “secure my position on a team,” the Miami (Fla.) Sunset alumnus is also willing to give up soccer for his football dream. He played in just a handful of games in high school before ASA College and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining upon graduating in December.

“Eddy is currently ranked in the co-#1 spot overall in our Fab 50 National Rankings,” said Brandon Kornblue on the website. “He might be the most explosive placekicker ever to have come through our camps. In the Spring 2015 Kornblue Kicking Challenge, Eddy blasted an event-record 86 yard kickoff. His best kickoffs were 77/4.07, 86/3.87,80/3.59, and 74/4.28. He was 7/7 from 50 and in and made a 60 yard FG in the long ball competition. His last field goal attempt was from 71 yards out and bounced off the crossbar. He has several made FG’s from 60-70 yards on video.”