Sometimes it’s important to slow down and really appreciate the little things that make college football special.

Arkansas Week, for example.

Arkansas Week is a good time to celebrate the small stuff about this sport that puts everything into perspective.

Alabama has the Razorbacks for homecoming on Saturday, and the Crimson Tide is favored to win by more than 30 points despite it being the first career start for quarterback Mac Jones. The ankle injury to Tua Tagovailoa could derail Alabama’s offense for a couple weeks, but the quarterback drama can wait.

There is a love affair beginning to percolate in this state that needs everyone’s full attention. The most popular player on the team after the seventh game of Alabama’s season isn’t the backup quarterback, or the emerging running back.

It’s the walk-on punter.

People love a good walk-on story, and Alabama has one at just the perfect time.

This week, walk-on punter Ty Perine is here to remind us all why we love the culture of college football so much, and how every player on the team is important to the success of a championship season.

With the prolific offense now in question, a good punter suddenly hasn’t been this valuable at Alabama in several years. Alabama’s was ranked 129th in net punting before last Saturday’s game against Tennessee. It didn’t seem to really matter before Tua injured his ankle. Now?

Now it could be the difference between winning and losing a close game.

Did you hear the way Bryant-Denny Stadium responded to Perine’s punts last Saturday night? That was the sound of a savvy fanbase relieved to see something something other than a shank.

Perine, a freshman from Prattville who played soccer and football in high school, made his collegiate debut during Alabama’s 35-13 victory against Tennessee, and if his two booming punts didn’t win him the job for the remainder of the season, then his tackle to thwart a return during a close game certainly did.

Don’t think athletic scholarships hold enough value for college football players anymore? Try telling that to Perine, who, for at least one more semester, is not receiving one.

Pony up and pay that kid’s tuition, Nick!

Perine is so popular right now in Tuscaloosa that he could crown himself homecoming king at halftime and no one would disagree. His teammates love him, and the fans are smitten.

On Monday, Alabama linebacker Terrell Lewis bragged about Perine’s big open-field hit on Tennessee return specialist Marquez Callaway like a proud big brother.

Perine didn’t dive at Callaway’s ankles, or pretend to try and make a tackle like so many punters on the highlight reels. Alabama’s freshman met Tennessee’s senior with his facemask, and stopped him cold.

“He came with bad intentions,” Lewis said.

Lewis currently leads the SEC in sacks. Don’t you absolutely love it when one of the best players in the country throws some love to the little guys? That’s what makes college football great, and far richer in passion and tradition than the pro game.

It’s never the view from the top that lasts. It’s the little things along the way that make the journey up the mountain so memorable.

Perine was just that guy in English comp last week. Now he’s an Alabama football legend.

Punting isn’t just about kicking it far. It’s about placement and kicking it high and far while under extreme pressure. Perine appears to have that ability, but he’s also a capable athlete. His tackle of Tennessee’s return specialist saved one prominent Alabama player who was out of position on the play.

“Actually, he made the tackle, and I was supposed to be there,” Alabama tight end Miller Forristall said. “I covered the wrong way.”

Usually the life of a walk-on at Alabama is a thankless existence. Players practice every day without even the expectation of dressing for all of the games.

“They chose to do this on top of everything else that goes on with this sport,” Lewis said.

Walk-ons do it for the love of the game, and pride in their school. Here’s why they’re more valuable than you realize, though. They usually do more for the program long after their playing days are over.

Walk-ons are the guys who come back every year for homecoming. Walk-ons are the guys who spearhead fundraising campaigns for scholarships, and create booster club chapters across the country.

This Saturday, they’ll be cheering loudest for one of their own.

Joseph Goodman is a columnist for the Alabama Media Group. He’s on Twitter @JoeGoodmanJr.