Sep 13, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Bray Hubbard (18) celebrates his interception during the first quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

Head coach Kalen DeBoer and the Tide didn’t quite finish the season as they had wanted, losing 38-3 to Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1. Now, the focus is on ensuring that Alabama will be ready to improve during the 2026 season.

There are three key factors that tie into making that dream a reality: high school recruiting, transfer portal recruiting and roster retention. Although the Crimson Tide has seen many departures, there are plenty who are ready to return for more.

Three returning players stand out among the rest, each of whom has the opportunity to lead the Tide through another playoff run.

1. Bray Hubbard, S

Safety Bray Hubbard announced his return to the Crimson Tide for his senior campaign on Monday, and it is some of the best news that Alabama fans have received recently, particularly because of his experience.

Hubbard is among the best safeties in the country, and easily could have declared for the draft. However, the Mississippi native has decided to stay in Tuscaloosa for another season in hopes of seeing the Tide make a deeper playoff run next year.

When he was originally a high school recruit out of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, he was rated as a low four-star recruit. But Alabama was always the top option for him, and the Tide easily secured the 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back.

As a freshman in 2023, Hubbard saw plenty of action, albeit mainly on special teams. But the coaching staff, led by Nick Saban at the time, realized his potential. Once his sophomore season arrived, he played in every game.

During the 2024 season, he managed to accumulate 57 total tackles, 35 of them solo, two pass deflections, a forced fumble and three interceptions, two of which came in defensive dominations of ranked Missouri and LSU teams.

His senior season did get off to an unfortunate start, particularly due to a low-effort performance that was called out on social media after Alabama lost to an unranked Florida State to start the season.

However, after that, he had a complete turnaround and was playing with passion. After helping lead the Tide and its defense to the Rose Bowl, he finished the season with 74 total tackles, eight pass deflections, two sacks, three forced fumbles and four interceptions. He had standout performances in the Tide’s games against Wisconsin, Georgia and Auburn.

With the Tide losing many key players on offense and defense, it will now be Hubbard’s turn to step up. As a potential option for one of Alabama’s team captains, he’ll hope to improve on an already impressive junior season.

2. Michael Carroll, OL

The offensive line has been one of the weakest areas of the Alabama offense over the past couple of seasons, but former five-star offensive lineman Michael Carroll is one piece to the puzzle of creating a strong front in the trenches.

With a struggling pass game, poor quarterback protection hurt the Tide, and the fact that it was never able to establish an efficient run game also hindered it from creating what could have been an efficient offense with talented players in the backfield.

Carroll saw the field as a freshman often this past season, mainly due to Wilkin Formby’s struggles at right tackle. However, if Carroll didn’t do enough to prove that he should have the starting job, he’ll have it anyway with Formby’s transfer to Texas A&M.

Although PFF’s grade of Formby put him in the top 10 for SEC tackles, Carroll showed great flashes when he got his chance on the field. He stood out particularly in the Iron Bowl, where he allowed just one pressure on 42 snaps.

Carroll will have the starting job secured at right tackle, and he’ll have to be a leader for the team, as he’ll be surrounded by some first-year starters and a few transfers while the staff hopes to have a much-improved offensive line next year.

3. Yhonzae Pierre, EDGE

Defensive end Yhonzae Pierre shot on the scene in 2025, earning the starting job to start the season, but needing some time to really break out. His best performance came against Tennessee, when he recorded six tackles and three sacks.

Pierre finished his redshirt-sophomore season with 52 total tackles, 39 of them solo, with eight sacks and three forced fumbles as well. He quickly became a force to be reckoned with on the Tide’s defensive line.

As a former five-star, he’s been living up to the hype, and he’s now expected to return to Tuscaloosa or his junior season. With departures in the trenches, specifically with the loss of Keon Keeley to the portal, Pierre will need to be a leader.

Honorable mention: Zabien Brown, CB

Brown has seen action on the field, making plays in the key moments, ever since he arrived on campus as a freshman. Alabama fans likely remember when the Tide hosted Georgia last year, and Brown made an interception to seal the win at the end.

The most memorable moment of his 39-tackle, two-interception sophomore season came on the third Saturday in October, when the Crimson Tide hosted Tennessee and Brown picked off Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar in the end zone for a 99-yard pick six.

Brown will return for his junior year in hopes of helping lead a group of young cornerbacks to higher heights than the Tide left the 2025 season off with. He and Hubbard will likely be the biggest playmakers in Alabama’s secondary in 2026.