Three Alabama players named to Bednarik Award preseason watch list

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Revealed on Friday afternoon, a trio of Alabama Crimson Tide players have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award.

Each of those three are returning starters on the Crimson Tide's defense, two of which are defensive backs in senior safety Bray Hubbard and junior cornerback Zabien Brown. Yhonzae Pierre, a senior outside linebacker, was also part of the preseason watch list.

The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player in college football. Alabama has seen three players receive the honor previously in Jonathan Allen (2016), Minkah Fitzpatrick (2017), and most recently, Will Anderson Jr. (2022).

Of the three, Hubbard is Alabama's top returning tackler from a year ago with 79 total, with the safety leading the SEC with four interceptions. Brown, who recorded 39 tackles, led college football with two interceptions returned for a touchdown, while Pierre was Alabama's sack and TFL leader a year ago with eight and 14.5, respectively.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Three Alabama players named to Bednarik Award preseason watch list

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