With the NFL Draft early entry deadline today and the Transfer Portal closing on Friday, Alabama is currently finalizing retention on next season's roster while still looking for depth and some instant impact contributors on both sides of the ball.
The two biggest NFL Draft decisions remaining for Alabama were with defensive starters Yhonzae Pierre and Keon Sabb. According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, both Pierre and Sabb are currently expected to return to Tuscaloosa for the 2026 season:
Alabama standout safety Keon Sabb and Bama star edge rusher Yhonzae Pierre are both currently expected to return to college for another season instead of leaving for the NFL, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 14, 2026
Both have been viewed as Day 2 NFL draft prospects. pic.twitter.com/vnrFCf3VcH
Yhonzae Pierre and Keon Sabb are expected to return to Alabama in 2026
Pierre is the most important returnee for Alabama in this duo, and arguably of anyone on the roster. That's especially true after losing Qua Russaw to the Transfer Portal.
Pierre started his third season at Alabama as the backup to Russaw at the Wolf LB spot, but an injury to Russaw in the Tide's win over Georgia put Pierre into the starting lineup. It was a role he maintained even after Russaw returned, which ultimately led to the portal decision.
Pierre gave Alabama the pass-rushing presence it had been sorely missing. Despite not starting the first four games of the season, Pierre went on to lead the Tide in sacks with eight. He became one of the most feared pass rushers in the country, and started seeing significant NFL Draft buzz in the 2nd and 3rd-round range.
But a big season in 2026 could easily push Pierre toward the top of draft boards and make him one of the top edge rushers in the 2027 class.
Sabb has been a two-year starter for the Crimson Tide, and his return, alongside the return of Bray Hubbard, gives Alabama arguably the best safety duo in the country. Add in returning starting corners in Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee, and the best secondary in America resides in Tuscaloosa.
In this day and age, roster retention can be just as important as any additions in the portal. Alabama wouldn't have found better players than Pierre and Sabb anywhere else. Securing them for 2026 is a massive step toward the Crimson Tide fielding an elite defensive team.