Through preparation, the second-year DB was ready to help Alabama’s CFP push

Jake Crandall – Montgomery Advertiser / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Alabama football’s projected weakness in the summer leading up to the start of the season could be its biggest strength next season.

Kane Wommack, the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator, has led the development of several young defensive backs – including one who emerged without an injured veteran player. Bray Hubbard, a second-year player from Mississippi, was inserted into the Tide’s starting lineup against Missouri. He came off the bench in the game against Tennessee after Keon Sabb suffered a foot injury and played well. Hubbard, a former four-star in the 2023 recruiting class, was more than a pleasant surprise in Alabama’s late push to get into the 12-team College Football Playoff. He brought a toughness and physicality to the defensive end that rocked the Tide defensively. Since he took over, Alabama has had multiple takeaways and won four of its last five games with him as the starter. The 1.90 meter tall, 100 kilogram player learned a lot from Sabb, but took the lead when his moment came.

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Hubbard has 48 tackles, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and a team-high three interceptions.

He was an unsung hero of this team and his preparation prepared him for this. Alabama’s secondary played obsessively against Auburn and Hubbard led the attack. The sophomore totaled four tackles and recorded one interception, denying the Tigers a trick play they were trying to execute. Hubbard had the right look and helped propel the Tide to a 28-14 victory.

Coach Kalen DeBoer said after the game that other players could learn from Hubbard’s preparation.

“He was just waiting for his opportunity and while he was waiting, he was preparing,” DeBoer said of Hubbard.

“That’s a credit to him and I think a lot of young players who are biding their time can take a lesson from what he did this year. “He’s a guy who plays with passion, though he is a very intoxicating player. He continued to develop physical skills and confidence and we believe in him. He’s really smart, he sees things and every snap he plays he gets better.”

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Hubbard has been great for Alabama all year and hopefully the team gets to the playoffs so he can continue to dominate.

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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Landing Alabama Magazine. You can “like” it. Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter via @CoachingMSmith.

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has been covering Alabama football for 15 years, and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide program has made him one of the most respected journalists in his field. Smith has been featured as an analyst on ESPN and several other major networks.