Alabama freshmen defenders who may force their way onto the field in 2026

Photo via Alabama Athletics

A group of Alabama football freshmen looks like they may force their way onto the football field in the fall, despite having a bunch of experience in front of them.

Kane Wommack is not afraid to rotate defenders in and out. This has been evident throughout his first two seasons as the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator. He has also shown he has no problem playing freshmen. Zabien Brown, Red Morgan, Dijon Lee, Justin Hill and London Simmons are all proof of this.

There is a new group of freshmen in Tuscaloosa at the moment, and it may be hard to keep several of them off the field. Jireh Edwards, Xavier Griffin and Jorden Edmonds all flashed potential to make an early impact on A-Day. However, each of them plays a position where trusted starters or players on the verge of starting reside.

Edwards is a safety, who is expected to play behind Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard. The Crimson Tide’s safety room also includes Zavier Mincey and Ivan Taylor, giving the group established starters and trusted depth. However, what made Edwards a great prospect at the high school football level is what made him shine on A-Day.

The St. Frances Academy product was getting after the football from different spots within Wommack’s defense. He even lined up inside the box at times and looked right at home with his 6-foot-2, 221-pound frame. The Tide looks to be using him similarly to the way they typically use Hubbard. It would not be a surprise if he earned a role in a package in the fall, lining up at the linebacker level.

Alabama freshman DB Jireh Edwards is smooth and fluid in his movements.

Edwards working with the Tide’s safety group. pic.twitter.com/n8DTon8IXd

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) March 12, 2026

Griffin has been working with the Tide’s inside linebackers this spring as an off-the-ball backer. He played some snaps there, but he got some of his first action rushing from the edge, and he was getting home and putting pressure on quarterbacks. Saturday allowed him to show why he was considered one of the top hybrid linebackers in the country during the 2026 recruiting cycle.

Getting on the field at inside linebacker is possible, but earning a role as a pass rusher in obvious passing situations may be Griffin’s calling in year one. The Tide wants to get after the quarterback more effectively in 2026, and Griffin could help with that.

Alabama freshman linebacker Xavier Griffin hitting the sled while working with the Tide’s inside linebackers.https://t.co/QvWU0Mi0fq pic.twitter.com/XIKPN8Sqi0

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) April 7, 2026

Edmonds looks as if he has gotten thrown into the fire this spring, but he has answered the challenge with grace. While fitting the mold of the long and athletic cornerback Maurice Linguist loves, the Georgia product uses that length to be effective in coverage on A-Day.

Alabama will roll out Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee as its starting cornerbacks, but the door remains open for Edmonds to earn a spot in this rotation along with Carmelo O’Neal. The Tide used Brown, Lee and Domani Jackson in rotation throughout the 2025 season.

Alabama freshman CB and former 5-Star Jorden Edmonds look to be finding his footing quickly in Tuscaloosa. https://t.co/QvWU0Mi0fq pic.twitter.com/5yGJl67YKq

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) April 7, 2026

There may be some other names joining this discussion when fall camp rolls around.