Brown, Hubbard Named to Nagurski Watchlist

Alabama defenders Bray Hubbard and Zabien Brown were named to the Bronko Nagurski Award Watchlist on Tuesday morning, as announced by the Football Writers Association of America.

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Brown and Hubbard are a part of a 68-candidate list that makes up the Nagurski watchlist on Tuesday morning, with the award presented to the nation's top defender in college football.

All SEC Players on the Nagurski Watchlist:

Xavier Atkins, LB - Auburn
Rasheem Biles, LB - Texas
KJ Bolden, S - Georgia
Zabien Brown, CB - Alabama
Will Echoles, DT - Ole Miss
Bray Hubbard, S - Alabama
Kelley Jones, CB - Mississippi State
Kip Lewis, LB - Oklahoma
Suntarine Perkins, LB - Ole Miss
Marcus Ratcliffe, S - Texas A&M
Colin Simmons, DE - Texas
Dylan Stewart, DE - South Carolina
David Stone, DT - Oklahoma
Princewill Umanmielen, DE - LSU
Whit Weeks, LB - LSU
Raylen Wilson, LB - Georgia

Brown is entering his junior season with the Crimson Tide after being a two-year starter in Tuscaloosa, where he totaled 39 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 6 pass breakups, two pick-sixes, and a forced fumble as a sophomore in 2025. Hubbard earned All-American and All-SEC honors last season after collecting a conference-leading four interceptions, totaling 79 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks, including a team-high six pass breakups and three forced fumbles.

Both Hubbard and Brown are expected to be high draft picks in the 2027 NFL draft after concluding the 2026 season with the Crimson Tide, despite both having eligibility remaining after this season.

Alabama Players Named to Preseason Watchlists

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.