Alabama football 2026 depth chart — Where Crimson Tide defense stands

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Over the course of defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s two seasons with Alabama football, versatility has been a word of note to describe his defense, whether it’s positional versatility or a variety of different responsibilities.

In 2026, Alabama is flipping its defense around, completely rebuilding parts of its defensive line and linebacking corps, while many of the same faces are set to return in the defensive backfield.

With new faces heading into the 2026 season, the third season in Wommack’s scheme, what could the Crimson Tide defense look like? Here’s a look at the projected depth chart ahead of winter workouts.

Alabama Bandit defensive end

Desmond Umeozulu
Devan Thompkins
Fatutoa Henry

The versatility starts with Alabama’s Bandit defensive end spot, one that is taking a complete makeover after losing LT Overton, who is off to the NFL after exhausting his collegiate eligibility, along with Jordan Renaud and Keon Keeley, who each entered the transfer portal. Alabama added two pieces through the r portal that could be shoe-ins to start at Bandit: South Carolina transfer Desmond Umeozulu and USC transfer Devan Thompkins. But based on body type and experience, Umeozulu could cross-train at Wolf outside linebacker. And Thompkins could move inside depending on the scheme. But given the holes, and the lack of experience at Bandit, it makes sense that both would start there, and both should expect extensive playing time regardless of where they line up.

Alabama defensive tackle

Edric Hill (Starter)
London Simmons (Starter)
Terrance Green
Jeremiah Beaman
Isaia Faga
Kedrick Bingley-Jones

Alabama has bodies to fill the interior of its defensive line. But it’s a room still defined by relative inexperience. Of Crimson Tide returners, Edric Hill leads the room with 347 snaps from a season ago, per Pro Football Focus, while London Simmons, as a true freshman, had 266. Even if Hill and Simmons take over the starting roles James Smith and Tim Keenan III occupied in 2025, Alabama’s interior of its defensive line is one, ideally, that would be defined by rotation with players like Jeremiah Beaman, Isaia Faga, Oregon transfer Terrance Green and Mississippi State transfer Kedrick Bingley-Jones. Alabama has depth and numbers. The question remains if it can transfer into explosion from the middle of the line.

Alabama Wolf outside linebacker

Yhonzae Pierre
Justin Hill
Jah-Marien Latham — if given a medical redshirt

Alabama has its premier pass rusher back. Yhonzae Pierre, who had the most tackles-for-loss and sacks of any player in the Kalen DeBoer era and the most by a Crimson Tide player since Dallas Turner, heads into the offseason as the undisputed starter at Wolf outside linebacker, followed by Justin Hill, who saw his fair share of reps as a true freshman. The status of the room remains unclear. Jah-Marien Latham could look for an extra season of eligibility after missing all but one game of 2025. And Alabama could cross-train certain members of its defensive line like Umeozulu and Washington transfer Caleb Smith as pass rushers in the linebacker room. Without Noah Carter and Qua Russaw, options are slim in the room. But in an ideal world for the Crimson Tide, Alabama won’t need much more behind Pierre and Hill.

Alabama linebacker

Caleb Woodson (Starter)
QB Reese (Starter)
Xavier Griffin
Cayden Jones
Luke Metz
Duke Johnson

Alabama is in a very different spot at linebacker than it was a season ago. Instead of three veteran pieces — Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson and Nikhai Hill-Green — much of Alabama’s linebacker corps is unproven. Of the room’s returning talent, Cayden Jones leads with 53 snaps, per PFF. It’s why Alabama added Caleb Woodson, a veteran Virginia Tech linebacker with one season of eligibility, through the transfer portal. And moves could still be made. But for now, players like Jones, QB Reese and even five-star freshman Xavier Griffin seem to be in line for significant reps.

Alabama cornerback

Zabien Brown (Starter)
Dijon Lee Jr. (Starter)
Carmelo O’Neal
Chuck McDonald III
Jorden Edmonds
Nick Sherman

Alabama’s two starters are locked in. The return of both Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee Jr. give the Crimson Tide a tandem that could rival any set of cornerbacks in the SEC. Carmelo O’Neal, the big-bodied Mercer transfer, gives Alabama depth after losing Cam Calhoun to the transfer portal, as does junior college addition Nick Sherman and redshirt freshman Chuck McDonald III. But this room is about Brown and Lee, a room that is set to bring stability to the entire defense.

Alabama Husky nickel defensive back

Red Morgan (Starter)
Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.
Rihyael Kelley

Red Morgan emerged as a key contributor as Alabama’s Husky nickel back position late in 2025. And with DaShawn Jones out of eligibility, Morgan seems locked into that starting role. The return of Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. gives Alabama a bit of wiggle room at a position that could see its share of cross-training, whether it’s a player like Zavier Mincey or a newcomer like Rihyael Kelley.

Alabama safety

Bray Hubbard (Starter)
Keon Sabb (Starter)
Zavier Mincey
Ivan Taylor
Jireh Edwards
Rihyael Kelley

Like cornerback, Alabama’s starting safeties are set in Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb. It’s two deep is seemingly set too with the return of Mincey and sophomore Ivan Taylor. Expectations are high for five-star Jireh Edwards, but the return of two players who were the only members of the 2025 Alabama defense with more than 800 snaps to their names could hold him back from significant playing time on defense.

Alabama kicker

Conor Talty
Lorcan Quinn

At minimum, Alabama has its succession plan in place at kicker, with the addition of Marshall freshman Lorcan Quinn. But the Crimson Tide could have started a position battle between Quinn and returner Conor Talty, who had his share of struggles in 2025.

Alabama punter

Adam Watford
Alex Asparuhov

Blake Doud is gone. And Alabama is seemingly going back to the same strategy in 2026 with the addition of North Alabama punter Adam Watford, a highly-touted punter from FCS, to battle with redshirt freshman Alex Asparuhov.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football 2026 depth chart — Who starts on defense?

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