He comes from a high school that produced an All-American legend at the University of Alabama, but he is also the cousin of that legend.
Mercer matchup to open opportunity for young Alabama players at ‘Wolf’ to step up
Yhonzae Pierre, a redshirt freshman, was a highly touted five-star prospect from Eufaula (Ala.) High School in the Crimson Tide’s 2023 recruiting class.
The 6-foot-3, 239-pounder saw Alabama secure its final Southeastern Conference Championship of the Nick Saban era last season, but he is in a position to be an impact player. An injury to Que Robinson has allowed defensive coordinator Kane Wommack to unleash the pack of wolves.
Pierre is an edge rusher that is about to be let off the chain.
Christian Robinson, Alabama’s outside linebackers coach, sees the urgency Pierre has. He is taking notes in the front of the meeting room, allowing Robinson to coach him hard, and wants to take the ‘Wolf’ room over with Qua Russaw. Pierre watched Courtney Upshaw, his older cousin, become an All-American for the Tide. Upshaw was a two-time BCS National Champion in 2009 and 2011, a first-team All-American in 2011, and first-team All-SEC selection in 2011. He anchored Alabama’s best defense under Saban in 2011, propelling the unit to lead college football in all five major defensive categories. Upshaw became a second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens.
Robinson hopes Pierre is like Upshaw.
How Que Robinson continues to impact Alabama, regardless of season-ending injury
“The urgency and him being coachable are the reasons why he is having success and why I think he will help us in contributing in a way that will be impactful,” Robinson said about Pierre. “When I first got here, he was about 217 pounds. And then, he started to beef up a little bit and I’m like ‘okay.’ Then, I learned he was Courtney Upshaw’s cousin and I said ‘you are starting to look like him.’ I hope you play like him too.”
Upshaw was beloved by the Alabama fans and Pierre looks for the same appreciation.
He gets his first major opportunity this weekend versus Mercer.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
