Positions inexperienced Alabama players will be forced to step up at in 2026

3/7/25 MFB Spring Practice 3 Alabama Linebacker Cayden Jones (30) Photo by Kent Gidley

Alabama football will return experienced on both sides of the football this fall, and the Crimson Tide is expected to lean on this experience.

However, there are a few positions the Tide does not have the luxury of rolling out experienced players at. Here is a look at those positions:

Quarterback

Alabama football’s starting quarterback from the 2025 football season Ty Simpson is moving on to the NFL after one season as a starter. His departure leaves one of the most sought-after positions in college football open. Who will be QB1 in Tuscaloosa this fall? The battle is shaping up to be a two-man race, barring any significant pushes from the Tide’s two true freshmen signal callers. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell will get their first shots at creating separation in the competition next month when spring football gets rolling in Tuscaloosa. Alabama’s A-Day event on April 11 should give everyone a good look at how the battle is shaping up heading into the summer.

Inside Linebacker

Alabama is losing its two starting inside linebackers from the 2025 football season to the NFL in Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson, along with an important depth piece in Nikhai Hill-Green. The Tide returns some young talent to this position in QB Reese, Cayden Jones, Duke Johnson, Luke Metz and Abduall Sanders, but neither of them has ever started a game or enjoyed consistent meaningful playing time at the position. Caleb Woodson joined this group after transferring from Virginia Tech, and he immediately became the most experienced linebacker in the room. The Tide also added a young linebacker with potential in Zay Hall from the high school ranks. Alabama has consistently rotated three players at inside linebacker during the first two seasons under Kane Wommack as its defensive coordinator. It is highly likely more than one inexperienced player will have to step up here.

Alabama LB QB Reese has a chance to break out in 2026.

Reese garnered praise from coaches and players last spring. He was fast & physical at Ramsay HS and was elite in pass coverage.

Have him among 5 returning players poised to break out. https://t.co/EFMRmW0GNh pic.twitter.com/uM0GJx3Xc0

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) February 6, 2026

Bandit (Defensive End)

Most of Alabama’s Bandit room departed from the program after the 2025 season. LT Overton is moving on to the NFL, and Jordan Renaud, Keon Keely and Kelby Collins will be wearing different uniforms in the fall after transferring from Alabama to other institutions. Alabama does return Fatutoa Henry, who does fit the build for the position. He played in roughly four games along the defensive line during the 2025 season in very limited action after transferring from Cerritos Community College. The Tide has added some player from the portal, who may be a fit for the position in Desmond Umeozulu and Devan Thompkins, but it is unclear what positions the Tide will primarily use them at. Thompkins could primarily play defensive tackle and Umeozulu could play the Wolf linebacker position. All of these factors point to the Tide possibly having to play some freshman at the position with Jamarrion Matthews, Nolan Wilson and Kamhariyan Johnson likely in position to make an early impact in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama freshman DL Jamarion Matthews is among the Tide freshmen I expect to benefit from the portal’s impact on the Tide’s roster.

Here is a breakdown of the 5 incoming freshman for the Tide I feel are in position to do so, including Matthews.https://t.co/k3QjLVwnrA pic.twitter.com/16E4lrBjRz

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) January 18, 2026