In poker, having a strong hand is valuable — but having multiple ways to play that hand is even better.
That's the kind of luxury third-year Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has at his disposal with Alabama's newly rebuilt defensive front.
Of course, returning senior star edge rusher Yhonzae Pierre is the established ace. But behind him, Alabama has assembled a collection of pass rushers capable of attacking an offense in different ways.
So when Wommack was asked Wednesday to identify the Tide's second-best rusher, he didn't give a definite answer. Instead, he revealed just how many cards Alabama's defensive staff has to play.
Alabama's deck of deep and versatile pass rushers excites Kane Wommack heading into the 2026 season
"I think we've got a number of guys that I'm excited about," Wommack said. "Obviously, Yhonzae is kind've the most experienced guy in the room, and I think he's taken his game to another level. So I'm excited to see that in real time on game day. But I think Devan Thompkins does a good job. I think Desmond (Umeo)Zulu brings a lot to the table there."
The additions of Thompkins and Umeozulu are key because they give Wommack two experienced, physically imposing options at 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-6, adding valuable length and veteran presence to a Crimson Tide defensive line that had just one 6-foot-5 rusher — LT Overton — in 2025.
Those two cards give Wommack a deeper deck to play with, but an intriguing part of his hand could ultimately be the cards that haven't fully revealed themselves yet.
"I'm also excited about a young guy in Xavier Griffin in what he brings to the table, similar to how we used Jihaad (Campbell) in a number of different ways," Wommack said. "And I think he's kind've has that similar skillset, an outside linebacker background. You know, being able to play the outside linebacker position as well. And then there's a couple of guys in Kevontae Henry and Justin Hill that bring different varieties to the table. So, you've kind've gotta see who's the hot hand, right? Who's the guy that, when the bullets are flying, they're gonna step up?"
That's where Alabama's improved depth becomes more than just a number on the depth chart.
Wommack isn't necessarily looking for one player to emerge as Pierre's permanent running mate. He's looking for the right rusher to complement Pierre in the right situation — and he's giving himself and Alabama's staff enough options to let the production dictate the rotation.
That's an important distinction for a defensive front looking to become more "violent at the line of scrimmage in efforts to generate more pressure on the quarterback after finishing 33rd in the FBS with 33 total team sacks in 2025.
Alabama doesn't need every card in its hand to look the same. In fact, the value of this group may be that they don't.
With Thompkins and Umeozulu serving as the high cards (Jacks), Griffin gives Wommack a wild card because of his ability to move around the front, while Hill, Henry, and several other rising reserves represent the cards still waiting to add to their value.
That level of difficulty could make Alabama's front especially difficult to prepare for in 2026. Wommack may not know which rusher will emerge as his No. 2 from week to week, but that's exactly what makes this group so dangerous. For opposing offenses, that's the scary part.
Alabama may not have an obvious answer behind Pierre — it could have a different one every Saturday. And if Wommack can keep playing his hot hand, his rebuilt front could become far more unpredictable than its depth suggests.
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