Over the course of their 2026 regular season schedule, the Alabama Crimson Tide will face a number of players that you could make an argument are among the best in college football at their positions.
Included on Alabama‘s 2026 schedule are potential national title contenders such as Georgia, LSU, and Texas A&M, as well as teams who are likely to present a challenge in Tennessee, South Carolina, and Auburn, among others. On those same teams, each have stellar quarterbacks that help make them such a talented team, but what about the other positions on the field?
Advertisement
Here is the best player at every position on Alabama’s 2026 schedule, starting on offense.
Nov 22, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes against the Charlotte 49ers during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Stockton faced Alabama twice a year ago in Athens and Atlanta, and the Georgia signal caller will visit Tuscaloosa in 2026 for the first time as a starter. The Bulldogs’ starter finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting a year ago after completing 69.7% of passes for 2,894 yards and a 24:5 TD:INT ratio, rushing for 462 yards and 10 more scores as well.
Running Back: DeSean Bishop, Tennessee Volunteers
Dec 30, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Desean Bishop (18) runs with the ball after a made catch against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Bishop had a big game against Alabama a year ago in Tuscaloosa, rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns. The redshirt junior is coming off a huge 2025 season that included rushing for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Advertisement
Sep 6, 2025; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles wide receiver Duce Robinson (0) catches a touchdown during the first half against the East Texas A&M at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
The top wide receiver on Alabama’s schedule likely comes from outside the SEC in Robinson, who enters his second season at Florida State. A former transfer from USC, Robinson had 1,081 receiving yards and six touchdowns a year ago.
Tight End: Trey’Dez Green, LSU Tigers
Oct 18, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Louisiana State Tigers tight end Trey’Dez Green (14) scores on the two point conversion against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Despite not having a catch against the Crimson Tide each of the last two seasons, Green is still the top tight end on Alabama’s 2026 schedule. Green had 433 receiving yards and seven touchdowns a year ago in a breakout season.
Offensive Tackle: Jordan Seaton, LSU Tigers
Seaton was one of college football’s top offseason transfers, joining LSU following two years at Colorado. The junior will start at left tackle for the Tigers in 2026.
Advertisement
Offensive Guard: Wendell Moe Jr., Tennessee Volunteers
Moe enters his redshirt senior season at Tennessee as one of the most experienced interior offensive linemen in the SEC. The Arizona transfer started 11 games between both right and left guard a year ago, earning All-SEC honors.
Center: Drew Bobo, Georgia Bulldogs
Oct 4, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Drew Bobo (74) over the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Bobo enjoyed a breakout season last fall, and returns as Georgia’s starting center in 2026. The redshirt senior is set to be one of college football’s top players at the position.
Defensive Tackle: Daniel Lyons, Florida State Seminoles
Similar to wide receiver, the top defensive tackle on Alabama’s schedule comes from outside the SEC in Lyons. The redshirt senior recorded 26 tackles, 3.5 TFL, and two sacks at Florida State last season.
Advertisement
Stewart, who has one tackle against Alabama over the last two seasons, is the top pass rusher the Crimson Tide will face in 2026. The South Carolina junior finished last season with 33 tackles, 12 TFL, and 4.5 sacks.
Auburn Tigers linebacker Xavier Atkins (17) celebrates his sack as Auburn Tigers take on Alabama Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Auburn Tigers 27-20.
Alabama’s 2026 schedule is loaded with talented inside linebackers, but an argument can be made that Atkins is the best of them all. Atkins enjoyed a breakout season with the Tigers a year ago that included leading the SEC with 60 solo tackles and 17 TFL, while also recording nine sacks.
Advertisement
Sep 6, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive back Kelley Jones (1) reacts after a pass breakup during the first quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Jones enters his redshirt junior season in Starkville likely with a case to be made as the top cornerback in the SEC. A two-year starter, Jones is coming off a 2025 season that included 34 tackles and two interceptions.
Safety: KJ Bolden, Georgia Bulldogs
Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back KJ Bolden (4) runs to the ball against the Austin Peay Governors in the second quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Bolden is undoubtedly the top safety Alabama will face in 2026. The junior has faced Alabama three times already in his Georgia career, and is coming off a season that featured 76 total tackles and two interceptions.
While there are certainly other options to choose from here, an argument can be made that Taylor is the best kicker on Alabama’s 2026 schedule. Taylor made 13-of-14 field goal attempts for the Commodores last season, translating to a SEC leading percentage of 92.9% made.
Advertisement
Punter: Ethan Pulliam, Mississippi State Bulldogs
Pulliam enters his second season as the starting punter at Mississippi State following a breakout 2025 campaign. A redshirt junior, Pulliam led the SEC a year ago with an average of 46.8 yards per punt.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Top player at every position on Alabama football’s 2026 schedule
