Crimson Tide Represented on Nagurski, Outland Watch Lists
8/4/2026 11:04:00 AM | Football
Alabama had two players on the Nagurski and one representative on the Outland
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -Â Alabama football was represented on watch lists for both the Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced Tuesday.
Zabien Brown and Bray Hubbard are part of a group of 68 candidates that make up the Nagurski's preseason list, an award that recognizes the nation's top defensive player. Named in honor of college and NFL Hall of Famer Bronko Nagurski, the Trophy has been presented annually since 1993 by the Charlotte Touchdown Club and the FWAA. Finalists for the 2026 Nagurski Trophy will be announced on November 19 before the winner is revealed at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 7.
Alabama has produced two winners of the Nagurski, including the Trophy's only two-time honoree Will Anderson Jr., who received the honor in both 2021 and 2022. He joined Jonathan Allen, the Crimson Tide's first recipient back in 2016.
Michael Carroll is one of 68 candidates tabbed to the preseason list for the Outland Trophy, named in honor of All-America offensive lineman John Outland of Penn. The award has been presented annually since 1946 by the FWAA to recognize the top interior lineman in college football on offense or defense. Semifinalists for the Outland will be selected on Nov. 18 with three finalists announced live on ESPN on Nov. 24. The 81st recipient of the Outland Trophy will be named at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
Six Crimson Tide players have taken home the Outland, including Chris Samuels (1999), Andre Smith (2008), Barrett Jones (2011), Cam Robinson (2016), Quinnen Williams (2018), and most recently, Alex Leatherwood in 2020.
Zabien Brown
Defensive Back, Junior
- A two-year standout at cornerback for the Crimson Tide
- Played in and started all 15 games as a sophomore
- Totaled 39 tackles, including 2.5 for loss (-4 yards), to go with a team-high tying six pass breakups and a forced fumble last season
- Added two pick-sixes of 99 and 50 yards in 2025, the first Alabama player to notch a pair of interception returns since 2021 and the first true corner to do so since 1992
Bray Hubbard
Defensive Back, Senior
- A leader for the Alabama defense and one of the top safeties in college football
- Earned All-America and All-Southeastern Conference honors as a junior
- Tied for the SEC lead and paced UA with four interceptions last season
- Also ranked third on the defense with 79 total tackles, including 4.5 for loss (-23 yards) and two sacks (-20 yards)
- Added a team-high tying six pass breakups to go with three forced fumbles and one quarterback hurry in '25
Michael Carroll
Offensive Lineman, Sophomore
- Inserted himself into the Crimson Tide's offensive line rotation a season ago, starting six games and playing in 14
- Split time between tackle and guard as a true freshman
- Finished his rookie year with Freshman All-America and All-SEC honors
