Third Year Alabama Defensive Lineman Stepping Up as Leader During 2026 Offseason

Alabama will have to replace all four of its 2025 captains, with Ty Simpson, Parker Brailsford, Deontae Lawson, and Tim Keenan III departing for the NFL. Likely options are returning veterans, such as Bray Hubbard or Zabirn Brown, and incoming transfers could play big roles for Alabama in 2026. Joining them, however, could be an underrated defensive lineman: redshirt sophomore Isia Faga.

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Last week, Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack mentioned in an interview with Yea Alabama, the Crimson Tide's NIL collective, that Faga has done a "fantastic job" of working hard and holding others accountable.

In an exclusive interview with Christian Miller on the Miller's Edge on Tide 100.9, returning Alabama linebacker Yhonzae Pierre mentioned Faga as one of several players who have stepped into a leadership role during the offseason.

Returning defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman, wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, safeties Keon Sabb and Bray Hubbard, and quarterbacks Austin Mack and Keelon Russell also earned mentions from Pierre as players who have stepped up as leaders this offseason.

Faga was a three-star signee with the Crimson Tide in Alabama's 2024 recruiting class, ranked as the No. 61 defensive lineman and the No. 31 player in Alabama from Phenix City. He saw action in two games as a true freshman in 2024, redshirting at the season's end.

In 2025, he expanded his role defensively, appearing in all 15 games, making nine tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and one quarterback hurry. He made two tackles in three games for Alabama last season: week one against Florida State, week two against ULM, and in the College Football Playoff against Oklahoma. Faga is expected to compete for an increased role on the Tide's defensive front after the departure of Tim Keenan III to the NFL and James Smith via the transfer portal.

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_.