Alabama linebacker Yhonzae Pierre was able to make a major impact in the Tide’s 50-36 win over FSU on Saturday.
Pierre has proven to shine on numerous occasions throughout the early stages of 2026, and the linebacker showed no signs of slowing down against the Seminoles. The senior recorded five total tackles, including one solo tackle in the victory, and Pierre played a key role in the Tide’s defensive turnaround throughout the second half.
Pierre took a moment to reveal Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s message to the unit during the shortened halftime period, as the linebacker claims Wommack urged them to stick together and keep the energy high.
“Keeping the defense up,” Pierre said. “We kept leaning on each other and what not. Kept bringing each other on, made little adjustments and whatnot and just keeping the energy high to be able to go back out there.”
Kalen DeBoer discussed the Tide’s defense shaking back from a slow start after the game.
“Just got to be sharp,” DeBoer said. “Got to be locked in. Can’t have the foolish penalty or just the lack of execution. Get your pads on a guy and finish the block. Go out there and have the physicality that we showed really the last two and a half quarters.”
Alabama’s defense as a whole looked like an entirely different unit in the second half against FSU. Pierre and the rest of the Tide’s defensive talent will undoubtedly need to start faster moving forward, but Wommack’s message to the team appears to have gotten through nonetheless.
