5 returning Alabama football players who could breakout in 2026

Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama linebacker QB Reese (36) is tackled after recovering a fumble by UL Monroe linebacker Daniel Knudsen (7) and a teammate at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated UL Monroe 73-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Alabama football is returning some talent for the 2026 football season, despite the transfer portal taking a chunk out of the Tide’s roster with multiple starters from the 2025 season choosing to enter the portal.

The Tide is returning some established talent with the return of Ryan Williams, Zabien Brown, Bray Hubbard, Keon Sabb, Yhonzae Pierre and multiple others, but there is also a group of returners who look poised to take another step forward in 2026.

Here is a look at five of those returning players who could break out and make a big impact in Tuscaloosa next season.

Austin Mack / Keelon Russell

Mack looks to be heading into Alabama football’s quarterback battle with an obvious advantage. He will not only be entering his fourth season of college football in 2026, but he will also be heading into his fourth season under Kalen DeBoer and his third under the Tide’s offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Russell will be entering year two, and he has been tagged as the next big thing out of Alabama. Whoever gets the call to be the Tide’s next quarterback out of the two signal callers will get their shot to break out as QB1.

Kaleb Edwards

Not many thought Edwards would play as much as he did during the 2025 football season as a true freshman. He played in all 15 games for the Tide last season and started in six of those games at tight end. He finished the year with one receiving touchdown and 150 receiving yards on 11 receptions. The 6-foot-6, 264-pounder signed with Alabama as one of the most complete tight ends in the 2025 recruiting class. He displayed the ability to put his hand in the dirt and block while also being able to present a big target who could move during his last season at Oak Ridge High School in California. Those traits made his transition to Alabama very smooth. The Tide lost Josh Cuevas to the NFL, and the door is open for a tight end to take advantage of the targets Cuevas is leaving on the table.

QB Reese

Reese garnered some buzz at inside linebacker during last spring when Deontae Lawson did not participate while he was recovering from an injury. The Birmingham, Alabama native went on to primarily contribute on special teams during the 2025 season while being listed behind veteran linebackers; Lawson, Justin Jefferson and Nikhai Hill-Green. At 6-foot and 224 pounds, Reese is a tad bit undersized, but he more than makes up for it with his pursuit of the football. He was known to play fast and physical as a linebacker at Ramsay High School. He was also among the best coverage linebackers Touchdown Alabama had ever evaluated. Alabama needs to establish starting linebackers at both inside linebacker positions in 2025 and trusted depth. Reese should be in this mix.

Jeremiah Beaman

Beaman was slated to make a big impact in 2025 before an injury sidelined him for the majority of the season. He bulked up to over 300 pounds ahead of his second season with the Tide, and he was slated to earn significant playing time in year two in Tuscaloosa. He went down with the season-ending injury before the second game of the season. He did make his first career start against Florida State and finished the game with a quarterback hurry. Players and coaches raved about Beaman throughout the spring and fall camp ahead of the 2025 season, and if what they said still rings true in Beaman’s return to the gridiron, look out for big things from Beaman.

Will Sanders

Sanders was primarily a rotation piece for Alabama during the 2025 season. He did not start a game during the 2025 season, but he did rotate at guard in for meaningful snaps against Wisconsin, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina and LSU. Alabama lost every player who started at least one game at guard during the 2025 football season, with each of them set to take their talents to the NFL. This has opened the door for Sanders to come in and make his mark. The Alabama native was a nasty, physical and agile offensive lineman coming out of Brookwood High School.