Kane Wommack should field one of the nation's top defenses in his third season as the Alabama defensive coordinator. Led by a loaded secondary, the Crimson Tide have a chance to be truly special on that side of the ball.
One of the few question marks is in an off-ball LB room that will have two new starters in 2026 after the top three contributors all exhausted their eligibility.
Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson will occupy one of the starting spots. A two-year starter in Blacksburg, Woodson made an immediate impression on his Alabama teammates and coaches during spring practice.
Woodson figures to be the "Mike" in Wommack's scheme. Competition for the "Sting" spot figured to be ongoing during fall camp as juniors QB Reese and Cayden Jones, along with sophomore Luke Metz, competed for the role.
But if you listen to comments made by Zabien Brown at SEC Media Days, then there's already a clear favorite to start alongside Woodson.
When asked by 100.9 The Game's Ryan Fowler to name a defender who could be a sleeper on the Crimson Tide's defense in 2026, Reese was the first guy named by Brown:
“I really like QB Reese,” Brown told Fowler. “He’s a dog, man. He’s hungry. You see every day the way he walks; he can’t wait to get in the building.”
Zabien Brown had high praise for junior LB QB Reese at SEC Media Days
Reese has been looked at as the favorite to start alongside Woodson in recent months, but this is another major vote of confidence for the rising junior.
Former Alabama LB Reuben Foster had high praise for Reese when he spent time around the team in the spring, noting Reese's focus and determination and how much the junior reminded him of himself.
Reese himself has displayed confidence this offseason that Alabama's LB room can be one of the best in college football.
This is the Birmingham native's opportunity to step into a prominent role. Reese was a key special teams contributor as a sophomore in 2025 and made some plays defensively when given a chance in mop-up duty.
He'll have to hold off some talented youngsters, namely Metz, who has received high praise throughout the program and is probably the biggest competition to Reese this fall.
Brown's comments shouldn't be taken lightly, especially since he's not the only person to have praised Reese for his work this offseason.
It's the rising junior's job to lose this fall.
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