Between quarterback Ty Simpson rising to third in Heisman odds following his performance in a road win against Vanderbilt and offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor being named SEC co-lineman of the week after the same game, a few names have risen above the rest in national discourse.
Still, some players have made invaluable contributions to the Crimson Tide without getting as much national recognition.
DaShawn Jones
The transfer nickel back from Wake Forest made only one start for Alabama in 2024, coming in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan. Through four games in 2025, however, his performance has made him hard to take off the field.
Jones graded out with a 70.6 against Georgia, per PFF statistics as cited by On3, good for third best among defensive players who received at least 15 snaps. That’s after a 71.1 grade against Florida State, good for third best on the entire team.
His play at defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s “husky” position has been more as a true coverage nickel than a pass rusher, and that role has seemed to match his skillset.
“I feel way more comfortable just being in that position to help the team win in anything,” Jones said before the start of the season. “Being able to be versatile, I feel like that impacts the team.”
Jones has statistically been more of a shutdown defensive back than even boundary corners Zabien Brown and Domani Jackson. The Georgia game was the first in which Jones was targeted twice, and he gave up one catch. He was never targeted against ULM.
If Jones continues to remove slot corners from opposing offenses, he will likely pick up discussion in NFL draft boards as a major contributor on Alabama’s second best passing defense in the country.
Yhonzae Pierre
As big of a blow as losing both Qua Russaw and Jah-Marien Latham at the “wolf” linebacker spot is, having Pierre ready to take up the mantle as a starting pass rusher may ease the loss of those two.
Pierre has been one of the few bright spots on an Alabama pass rush that has struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks, creating four hurries and one sack against Wisconsin, per PFF via On3.
In the second quarter against Georgia, Pierre made a tackle for a 6 yard loss on a handoff to Bulldog wide receiver Zachariah Branch, flashing his ability to stop runs and get past offensive linemen.
“He just keeps getting better and better,” Wommack said of Pierre after the Georgia game. “His ability to affect the run game, to generate some pass rush for us has shown up so far this season.”
Pierre’s performance has been impactful enough that he appeared to be pushing for more snaps at the wolf linebacker spot even before Russaw was injured.
He received 31 snaps in the Wisconsin matchup, only seven fewer than Russaw, posting a 68.7 grade, good for second best among linebackers who played at least 10 snaps.
Though he will have to continue to improve in coverage and at open field tackling, Pierre’s ability to stuff quarterbacks and tailbacks alike behind the line of scrimmage will make him a critical piece to a defense yearning to limit explosive plays.
Kaleb Edwards
The true freshman tight end was one of three members of Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class to enroll late, but missing out on spring practice hasn’t delayed Edwards from contributing to the team.
After catching his first college touchdown on a throw from Austin Mack against ULM, Edwards came up with a momentous 17 yard catch on third down against Georgia that saved the drive.
“Kaleb’s a big target,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said early in fall camp. “He’s very savvy, instinctual. He’s got some of that dual-sport in him, and he feels comfortable out in space.”
It was Edwards’ blocking on outside runs and screens, however, that came up most critical for Alabama’s offense in that game.
With a 6-foot-6, 263 lbs. frame, Edwards already has the ability to fit into 12- and 13-personnel looks as an additional lineman to block on outside zone runs, where most of his use has come thus far.
Edwards graded out at a 67.8 against Georgia, more than 3 points better than starting tight end Josh Cuevas, demonstrating a unique readiness to play against elite defensive competition as a true freshman.
With Cuevas being primarily used as a pass-catcher and Danny Lewis being the feature blocking tight end, Edwards’ ability to man both roles could make him a fourth-down player on offense as the season progresses and the team continues to develop both its running and passing game.
