Alabama’s football program announced Friday that three of its defensive players have earned spots on the Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist. The award, presented each year to the nation’s top defender, now includes senior safety Bray Hubbard, junior cornerback Zabien Brown and senior linebacker Yhonzae Pierre.
Player highlights
Zabien Brown, a junior cornerback, started two seasons under head coach Kane Wommack. Last year he recorded 39 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, six pass breakups (the most on the team), one forced fumble and two interceptions returned for touchdowns.
Bray Hubbard, a senior safety, emerged as a sophomore in 2024 and became a full‑time starter in 2025. He finished the 2025 season with 79 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, six pass breakups (team high), three forced fumbles and four interceptions, which led the squad. His performance earned him All‑American and All‑SEC honors.
Yhonzae Pierre, also a senior, saw his breakout year as a linebacker. He led the Crimson Tide with eight sacks, posted 52 tackles, a team‑leading 14.5 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hurries and three forced fumbles while starting the final 12 games.
Watchlist context
The Bednarik watchlist this year features 91 defensive prospects from across the country, including 24 players from the SEC. Alabama’s three honorees join teammates and rivals such as Quincy Rhodes (Arkansas), Xavier Atkins (Auburn), Myles Graham (Florida) and several standouts from Georgia, LSU, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and others.
Alabama has produced three Bednarik winners in its history: Jonathan Allen (2016), Minkah Fitzpatrick (2017) and Will Anderson Jr. (2022). The latest watchlist selections add to that tradition as the Tide heads into fall camp.
Upcoming schedule
Alabama will return to the practice field for fall‑camp practice No. 14 on Sunday morning. The team’s first game of the 2026 season is set for Saturday, September 5, when the Crimson Tide hosts East Carolina at home, with kickoff slated for 11:00 a.m.
Local coverage
Wyatt Fulton, the Tide’s 100.9 DME brand manager, continues to provide in‑depth coverage of Alabama football and men’s basketball on social media. Fans can follow his updates on X (formerly Twitter) at @FultonW_.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
