Alabama's Sacks, Tackles For Loss Leader Returning For 2026 Season

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Alabama Wolf linebacker Yhonzae Pierre will return to nan Crimson Tide for nan 2026 season, per Yea Alabama, nan program's NIL collective.

247 Sports' Matt Zenitz reported earlier connected Monday that Pierre was expected to return, and now he's officially back.

When nan alpha wolf leaves a pack, it is often difficult for a caller leader to emerge. Alabama Wolf linebackers Qua Russaw and Jah-Marien Latham missed a bully chunk of this season. Russaw collapsed his foot against Georgia successful precocious September and he missed six games, while Latham's play quickly ended pursuing a cervix injury he sustained that aforesaid month.

Russaw and Latham were listed arsenic co-starters connected nan Crimson Tide's Week 1 extent chart, and they each made an effect anterior to their respective injuries. But redshirt sophomore Pierre was adjacent successful statement to beryllium nan alpha Wolf linebacker.

Pierre made immoderate advancement pursuing nan Georgia game, arsenic he was nan starter nan adjacent 2 weeks against Vanderbilt and Missouri. But he collapsed retired against Tennessee pinch six full tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and 2.5 sacks. For reference, Pierre came into that Third Saturday successful October pinch conscionable 1 profession sack.

"He's been correct there," DeBoer said aft nan Tennessee game. "I'm really pleased pinch nan past mates of weeks what he's done. He played a batch of snaps past week. I don't cognize what his number was today, but conscionable pinch nan extent floor plan location and nan guys that are out, we're asking much retired of him and he's rising to nan occasion.

"He's worked difficult successful practice. He's built his stamina up much to wherever he tin compete for 4 quarters now and that's conscionable really cool to see. It's really him knowing that immoderate play I tin spell triumph one-on-one and making judge he's lined up and does his duty and conscionable strains from commencement to decorativeness each and each play."

It was astatine that infinitesimal that he afloat adapted to his accrued role, and he only sewage amended arsenic nan play continued. Pierre vanished nan play pinch Alabama's champion marks successful sacks (8) and tackles for nonaccomplishment (14.5) and besides tied pinch information Bray Hubbard for nan astir forced fumbles (3).

Pierre is 1 of 2 Wolf linebackers returning to nan Crimson Tide, arsenic he joins Justin Hill, who conscionable wrapped up his freshman campaign. Latham mightiness besides return, but he's awaiting support for a aesculapian redshirt. Alabama has mislaid 2 players astatine this position to nan transportation portal: Russaw and redshirt freshman Noah Carter.

That being said, nan Wolf linebacker often lines up/blitzes astatine nan statement of scrimmage. The Crimson Tide's protect statement has been dismantled this offseason, arsenic starting chemoreceptor tackle Tim Keenan III and Bandit LT Overton exhausted their collegiate eligibility, while starter James Smith and reserve protect linemen Jordan Renaud, Keon Keeley and Kelby Collins transferred retired of Tuscaloosa.

Jan. 14 is nan difficult deadline for underclassmen not participating successful nan National Championship Game to state for nan 2026 NFL Draft. In position of different cardinal dates, nan transportation portal officially opened connected Friday, Jan. 2 and closes connected Jan. 16. The outpouring portal was eliminated successful September and will nary longer beryllium an action for athletes.