Alabama LB Yhonzae Pierre (#42) pressures Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar to throw ball away in 2025.
Gary Cosby - USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
An All-American season, SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, first-team All-SEC honors, and a potential first-round NFL Draft selection could be on the table for him in the fall.
He was not the choice on the bingo card to explode for the University of Alabama’s football program on defense in 2025, but it happened anyway.
[](https://app.buildfire.com/promo/[SIG] Touchdown Enterprises)
Yhonzae Pierre saw what greatness looked like in watching his older cousin, Courtney Upshaw, become a two-time BCS National Champion (2009, 2011), a first-team All-SEC selection (2011), and a first-team All-American honoree (2011) for the Crimson Tide.
The former five-star chose Alabama in the 2023 recruiting cycle, and he was the one that dominated last season over names such as Qua Russaw and James Smith – both recently transferred to Ohio State.
VIDEO: 5 things we learned in first week of Alabama spring practice
People look at Pierre’s stats sheet from last year and see production, especially as he blossomed into the team’s best pass rusher. The 6-foot-3, 253-pounder had jaw dropping to the tune of a team-high 14.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, nine quarterback hurries (team-high), three forced fumbles, and a pass breakup. His numbers were great, but one thing holds Pierre back from truly becoming the force he needs to be.
The redshirt junior has to be a presence earlier in the season.
Yhonzae Pierre through first 5 games of 2025
(Opponents: Florida State, Louisiana-Monroe, Wisconsin, Georgia, Vanderbilt)
–12 tackles
-3.5 tackles for loss
-1 sack
-4 quarterback hurries
Yhonzae Pierre through final 9 games of 2025
(Opponents: Missouri, Tennessee, S. Carolina, LSU, Oklahoma, Auburn, Georgia, Oklahoma, Indiana)
–40 tackles
-9.5 tackles for loss
-7 sacks
-5 quarterback hurries
-3 forced fumbles
-1 pass breakup
Pierre did not start fast in 2025.
Once he got going, everyone saw the potential for him to take over games. He had his biggest success stopping run plays, while displaying versatility outside and inside to pressure quarterbacks.
Most of his sacks came on tango twist stunt looks where he started outside, but went inside an offensive guard and pushed his way into the quarterback.
OPINION: This could be Alabama’s potential starting OL for 2026 season
He confused offensive linemen with the moves he had.
Sometimes he used pure speed to blow by offensive tackles for sacks, and then he had moments where he bullied his way into the opponent’s backfield. His matchups againstTennessee (three sacks),LSU (two sacks),Oklahoma (College Football Playoff, 0.5 sacks), andIndiana (CFP Rose Bowl, 1.5 sacks) were perfect teach tape moments of how to impact matchups.
Pierre needs to carry that level of fire into every game from the start.
If he does, there will be a lot of hardware waiting for him and Alabama will be in the national championship conversation.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber-only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is a team writer forTouchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him onFacebookor “follow” him on Twitter, via@CoachingMSmith.
Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a seasoned writer that has covered Alabama football for Touchdown Alabama Magazine since 2009. Smith has extensive knowledge within the program, which has made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Throughout his career, Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.