Bray Hubbard to return to Alabama football in 2026: What to know

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Alabama football is getting one of its top defensive players back for another season.

Alabama safety Bray Hubbard announced Monday, Jan. 12, through the University of Alabama’s name, image and likeness collective, he would return to the Crimson Tide for his senior season in 2026.

Alabama has lost three players with collegiate eligibility to the NFL Draft: offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, center Parker Brailsford and quarterback Ty Simpson.

Bray Hubbard Alabama football journey

After Alabama’s 38-3 loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl, Hubbard said he hasn’t “thought about anything” when it comes to a return or declaring for the NFL Draft.

“I’ve been asked multiple times by some of the coaches just trying to get a head start on some things,” Hubbard said. “I told them, like literally my focus has been straight on ball. My main goal is to go chase a national championship. … Obviously that’s an option for me to go to the draft, but I’m fortunate to have another year and I could come back.”

A two-time Mississippi Mr. Football award winner as a high school quarterback and a 2023 four-star recruit, Hubbard mostly played special teams during his freshman season.

His role grew in 2024 after Keon Sabb had a season-ending injury against Tennessee. In 13 games and six starts, Hubbard tied for a team-leading three interceptions along with 57 tackles.

In 2025, Hubbard became the centerpiece of Alabama’s defense. A third-team All-American by the Associated Press, a second-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and a member of the first-team All-SEC team by both coaches and the AP, Hubbard led the SEC with four interceptions, adding 79 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 6 pass deflections and 3 forced fumbles. And he did so playing everywhere on defense, working at free safety, while also being used in the box as a makeshift linebacker.

“I think that’s just in us,” Hubbard said at the Rose Bowl of Alabama defensive backs’ “fearless” mentality. “Obviously we don’t want to let each other down. We just go out there and are playing for each other. 11 bodies are representing. We just go out there, fly around, and try to take the ball out.”

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: Bray Hubbard to return to Alabama football in 2026 for senior season

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