Ranking Alabama's top returning player at each position in 2026

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Alabama will have a multitude of new faces on both sides of the football in 2026.

The Tide will have a variety of returning players as well, as Alabama will have an excellent mix of young and veteran players at their disposal next season. Alabama will begin the 2026 campaign on Sept. 5 against East Carolina, as each returning player will look to shine throughout yet another season with the Tide in Tuscaloosa.

Here’s a look at the top returning player at every position for the Crimson Tide on both offense and defense in 2026.

Austin Mack, Quarterback

Mack is an extremely talented signal caller that spent the 2025 campaign as the backup quarterback to Ty Simpson. Mack’s potential was on full display during the Tide’s Rose Bowl loss against Indiana, as Mack is expected to compete for the starting role in 2026 following an excellent effort in the CFP.

Mack could quickly turn into a key player next season should he earn the starting job, as the talented quarterback will look to shine in Tuscaloosa next year.

Daniel Hill, Running Back

Hill is a versatile running back with speed and athleticism who emerged into a larger role last season as the 2025 campaign went along. The talented playmaker recorded 284 yards and six touchdowns on 75 carries last season, and was Alabama's top running back option toward the end of the year.

The rising star is expected to enter the 2026 campaign as the top running back on the Tide’s depth chart, as Hill could thrive on the Crimson Tide offense next season.

Ryan Coleman-Williams, Wide Receiver

Coleman-Williams is widely regarded as one of the top wide receivers in all of college football. The talented playmaker had a down year in 2025, but Coleman-Williams’ return to the Crimson Tide offense in 2026 will prove to be a massive addition in the near future.

The route runner was credited with 689 yards and just four touchdowns last season, as Coleman-Williams is in prime position to bounce back next season.

Kaleb Edwards, Tight End

Edwards was likely not a consistent target in 2025 as a true freshman. The talented tight end was playing behind Josh Cuevas last season, but Edwards could begin to shine in 2026 with a major increase in playing time.

Edwards will more than likely compete with transfer tight end Josh Ford, as well as Marshall Pritchett, for the starting role, but the rising star’s return to Tuscaloosa is a win for the Tide nonetheless.

Michael Carroll, Offensive Line

Carroll is the one and only starting offensive lineman to return to Alabama following the 2025 campaign. The Tide will have a completely different look to the offensive line in 2026 outside of Carroll, as the talented sophomore will undoubtedly play a crucial role on the Tide’s offense next year.

The sophomore opted-to return to Tuscaloosa following an excellent freshman campaign at Alabama, as Carroll will more than likely continue to excel next season.

London Simmons, Defensive Tackle

Simmons is a talented defensive tackle that will undoubtedly see a major boost in playing time next season. Simmons recorded 1.5 sacks 13 solo tackles throughout his freshman campaign in Tuscaloosa, as the rising star could have a breakout year on the Alabama defensive line in 2026.

Simmons was still able to make an impact last season despite having a limited role, as the playmakers return to Tuscaloosa will prove to be huge in the near future.

Yhonzae Pierre, Outside Linebacker

Pierre will enter the 2026 campaign as one of the top outside linebackers in all of college football. The star playmaker was nothing short of elite on the Tide’s defense last season, as Pierre’s return to Alabama will undoubtedly prove to be a major addition throughout the entire year.

Pierre recorded eight sacks and three forced fumbles last season, as the star outside linebacker will look to play at an even higher level throughout his fourth season in Tuscaloosa.

Luke Metz, Inside Linebacker

Metz will need to step up in a major way throughout the 2026 season. The talented inside linebacker is expected to compete for a starting role following the departures of Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson, as Metz finds himself in prime position to have a breakout campaign next season.

The rising star will more than likely play a massive role on the Tide's defense next year, as Metz is certainly someone to keep an eye on entering the 2026 campaign.

Bray Hubbard, Safety

Hubbard was considered to be one of the best safeties in all of college football in 2025. The star playmaker’s return to Tuscaloosa is a massive win for the Alabama defense, as Hubbard will more than likely pick up right where he left off as a member of the Tide’s secondary in 2026.

The star senior was surrounded by various rumors in regard to his status surrounding the NFL draft, but Hubbard ultimately chose to return to Alabama for a final season in Crimson.

Zabien Brown, Cornerback

Brown was excellent in the Tide's secondary throughout the entire 2025 campaign. The star cornerback recorded five pass deflections, three interceptions and one forced fumble during his sophomore season, as Brown could undoubtedly pick up right where he left off in 2025 next year.

The talented corner could is cemented as a starter once again, as Brown will look to shine yet again during his junior year in Tuscaloosa.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Ranking top Alabama football 2026 returning player at every position

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