Six Alabama players landed on the media’s 2026 Preseason All-SEC teams as SEC Media Days wrapped up in Tampa, where every program took its turn at the podium to talk roster, schedule and whatever else was thrown at them.
The preseason selections are one of the staples of Media Days, and Alabama showed up well across the three teams. The Crimson Tide had six players recognized in all.
At quarterback, Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss made the list, while the running back spots went to Kewan Lacy of Ole Miss and Ahmad Hardy of Missouri. The wide receiver group included Cam Coleman of Texas and Ryan Coleman-Williams of Alabama. Trey’Dez Green of LSU was the tight end pick.
The offensive line selections featured Trevor Goosby of Texas, Cayden Green of Missouri, Jordan Seaton of LSU, and Earnest Greene III of Georgia, with Drew Bobo of Georgia earning the nod at center. Mario Craver of Texas A&M was named at all-purpose.
On the defensive side, Colin Simmons of Texas, Will Echoles of Ole Miss, Dylan Stewart of South Carolina and Princewill Umanmielen of LSU were chosen on the line. The linebacker group included Whit Weeks of LSU, Xavier Atkins of Auburn and Rasheem Biles of Texas.
In the secondary, Alabama put two more players on the board: Zabien Brown and Bray Hubbard. They were joined by KJ Bolden of Georgia and Ellis Robinson IV of Georgia.
Special teams selections went to Tate Sandell of Oklahoma at kicker and kickoff specialist, Grant Chadwick of LSU at punter, Ryan Niblett of Texas as return specialist, and Ben Anderson of Oklahoma at long snapper.
The story will be updated with the Second and Third Teams.
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