Alabama Retains Key Defensive Starters for 2026 Season

Safeties Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb, along with linebacker Yhonzae Pierre, will be back to lead the Crimson Tide defense.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:40pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Alabama's defense received a major boost as safeties Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb, as well as linebacker Yhonzae Pierre, all decided to return for the 2026 season. The trio were key contributors last year and will be vital leaders for the Crimson Tide defense this fall.

Why it matters

Retaining these defensive standouts was crucial for Alabama, which lost six starters from last year's unit. Their return provides stability and experience as the Tide look to field one of the top secondaries in the nation.

The details

Hubbard led Alabama with four interceptions in 2025, while Sabb started all 15 games and recorded 54 tackles. Pierre emerged as a force at linebacker, leading the team with 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Their decisions to forego the NFL draft and come back for another season were major wins for the Crimson Tide coaching staff.

  • In mid-January, Hubbard, Sabb and Pierre all announced they would return for the 2026 season.

The players

Bray Hubbard

A starting safety who led Alabama with four interceptions in 2025.

Keon Sabb

A veteran safety who started all 15 games and recorded 54 tackles last season.

Yhonzae Pierre

A linebacker who emerged as a standout, leading the team with 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 2025.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Those are the decisions that are made in January that affect us from September to the next January, hopefully. And those are some of the biggest wins in recruiting.”

— Kane Wommack, Alabama Defensive Coordinator

“Just tidy up some of the things that I didn't do right last year, some of the stuff I left out on the table last year and working with my coach to get better. Just working hard day in and day out, getting the extra work and bringing people along with me, going to the top. Just staying to the grind and just the mentality to work every day, and just bringing the young guys along and being a leader, as well.”

— Yhonzae Pierre

“I actually called them both. Whenever Bray returned, I called him. I was jumping on the phone. We were laughing, but we had to get to work. And then Sabb, same thing pretty much. Just happy for them guys to be back. … Told them we got a lot of returning pieces, a lot of new defensive linemen coming in, 'backers. It's a whole new year. Let's run it back for real.”

— Dijon Lee, Alabama Cornerback

What’s next

The Alabama defense will look to build on its strong 2025 campaign with the return of Hubbard, Sabb and Pierre leading the way.

The takeaway

Alabama's ability to retain key defensive starters like Hubbard, Sabb and Pierre is a testament to the program's recruiting prowess and player development. Their return gives the Crimson Tide a solid foundation as they aim to field one of the top defenses in the nation in 2026.