Alabama football’s emerging edge rusher showing flashes of a game changer

Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama linebacker Yhonzae Pierre (42) fights off a block by LSU offensive lineman Carius Curne (57) to sack LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) for a loss at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Yhonzae Pierre has shown his three-sack performance against Tennessee was just a sign of what was to come for the former five-star.

Pierre made his presence felt once again in an opposing team’s backfield on Saturday night against LSU. The Eufaula, Alabama, product finished the game with two sacks, two total tackles and a forced fumble.

The Tide’s captain and inside linebacker Deontae Lawson has enjoyed playing behind the emerging Pierre, who has shown significant growth this season.

“Super proud of that guy,” Lawson said.  “He coming to work every day. I’m doing whatever I can to, you know, give him that little extra gear or whatever I need to say to him, just super proud of him. I know he’s working his tail off to do what he got to do to help this defense. He’s continuing to show up every week for sure.”

The redshirt sophomore helped Alabama seal its victory over LSU with a strip sack in the fourth quarter. Pierre powered through a Tigers’ offensive tackle and made a clean swipe at the ball to help give the Tide possession of the football up 20-9.

.@YhonzaeP with the STRIP SACK 🤫

📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/n5cwwzsKvE

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) November 9, 2025

“Just doing my job, rushing off the edge and getting home,” Pierre told reporters after the game.

Alabama football has continue to lean on the wolf linebacker as a dependable member of their defense in recent weeks as his snap count continues to go up with Qua Russaw still sidelined at the moment. Kalen DeBoer recently stated he feels Pierre has the understanding he can win any one-on-one when he is on the field.

“He works hard in practice,” DeBoer said. “He’s built his stamina up north to where he can compete for four quarters now, and that’s really just really cool to see. It’s really him understanding that any play I can go win one-on-one and making sure he’s lined up and does his assignment and just strengths from start to finish at each and every play.”

Pierre will be someone opposing offenses put a focus on for the rest of the season.