Why an Alabama safety is poised to be major defensive playmaker in 2025

Nov 30, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Bray Hubbard (18) makes a tackle on Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) while fighting off a block by Auburn wide receiver Malcolm Simmons (11) during second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Alabama football’s safety, Bray Hubbard will have an opportunity to show he is one of college football’s best safeties in 2025.

Hubbard’s path to this point has been everything but ordinary. The former three-star recruit was known for his athleticism and playmaking ability as a quarterback at Ocean Springs High School as he finished his prep career with 97 total touchdowns.

Hubbard threw for 2,197 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior while rushing for 1,760 yards and 20 touchdowns as he took home Mississippi’s 6A Mr. Football award for a second time. While he was regarded as one of the most productive offensive players in Mississippi high school football history, his defensive presence was non-existent.

But this did not stop Nick Saban and former Alabama defensive coordinator, Pete Golding, from pursuing Hubbard as a safety prospect and ultimately gaining a commitment from him. He told Touchdown Alabama he had confidence in the Alabama coaching staff and their plans for him before enrolling.

“I am not really worried about it,” Hubbard said as he lined up at quarterback at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star practices. “I know the coaches at Alabama are going to put me in the best place there I can be. So, I just gotta go up there and show them what I can do.”

Alabama 2023 ATH commit Brayson Hubbard @BraysonHubbard letting it rip at QB for team Mississippi. pic.twitter.com/SIu8FgD9s8

— Touchdown Alabama Recruiting (@TDARecruiting) December 7, 2022

The learning curve for Hubbard has not been as steep as it appeared to be when he first signed with the Tide. He became an immediate contributor on special teams as a true freshman in 2023 and made a significant jump in 2024 when Keon Sabb went down with a season-ending injury.

Hubbard stepped up as a starter and pulled in three interceptions and forced a fumble in six starts, looking as if he was tapping back into his high school roots and his days lining up at quarterback while patrolling the backend of Alabama’s defense when he diagnosed where a quarterback was headed with the football and got a jump on the play.

The awareness Hubbard plays with is what stands out the most when looking back at his best plays from the 2024 season, and it is also why he is expected to continue to make plays on defense in 2025.

Bray Hubbard picks off Jarquez Hunter on the trick play! pic.twitter.com/UXV9JZVupg

— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) December 1, 2024

Hubbard is also up to a solid 208 pounds at 6-foot-2. This is a four-pound weight gain from the start of the 2024 season which isn’t significant, but it does aid his ability to continue the be a physical defensive back, who can make tackles in the open field and get players on the ground without any assistance from his teammates.

Alabama’s defensive coordinator Kane Wommack recently praised the junior’s development.

“I mean we really challenged Bray in the offseason a year ago in the springtime,” Wommack said at the Mobile Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet. “He had an okay spring. He had a little bit better fall camp and then by the time his name was called to be our starter, I mean he came in and had tremendous production. You know Bray created a takeaway in every game that he started in and then I think he’s taken his game to another level this offseason just in terms of the leadership that he carries and brings.”

Hubbard will have the attention of Alabama’s opponents and NFL scouts this season.

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