The Alabama Crimson Tide are set to bolster their defensive backfield for the 2026 campaign, blending proven veterans with highly touted newcomers.
Returning Starters
Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb will once again line up as the team’s starting safeties, providing leadership and continuity after a productive 2025 season.
Hubbard returns after leading the SEC with four interceptions and posting 79 tackles, while Sabb contributed 54 stops, three pass breakups and 2.5 tackles‑for‑loss.
Fresh Arrivals
Adding to the mix, five‑star safety Jireh Edwards arrives on campus and could see early playing time, having logged 92 tackles, six pass breakups and 17 tackles‑for‑loss in his final high school season.
Among the depth chart, Zavier Mincey sits as the third‑string safety behind Sabb and Hubbard, while freshman Ivan Taylor has already carved out a notable role on special teams.
Looking Ahead
With both Hubbard and Sabb potentially heading to the NFL after 2026, Alabama will rely on the emerging talent pool to maintain a competitive secondary, ensuring the defense remains a focal point of the program’s future.