There are plenty of established names expected to play major roles for Alabama football in 2026, but one second-year defensive back could surprise Crimson Tide fans this fall.
Ivan Taylor may not enter the season with the same recognition as Alabama’s returning starters, but everything surrounding the young safety suggests he is ready to make a significant jump in Year 2.
And perhaps most importantly, Taylor believes he is ready for it.
The former highly regarded recruit played in every game as a true freshman in 2025, although most of his opportunities came on special teams. According to Pro Football Focus, Taylor logged 57 defensive snaps throughout the season, including 16 in Alabama’s Rose Bowl loss to Indiana.
That experience could prove valuable heading into 2026.
Taylor has spent the offseason attacking every opportunity in front of him, and his work ethic has already earned plenty of attention inside Alabama’s program.
Ivan Taylor Is Doing Everything He Can to Earn a Bigger Role
Taylor told BamaOnLine that he routinely arrives at Alabama’s Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility between 5:30 and 5:45 a.m. during preseason camp.
Only the Crimson Tide quarterbacks are consistently beating him to the building.
For Taylor, the early mornings are about developing the habits he believes will ultimately make him successful.
“I feel like waking up early in the morning, that’s gonna help me to get where I wanna go,” Taylor said.
That mindset has been shaped in large part by his father, former NFL cornerback and two-time Super Bowl champion Ike Taylor.
The younger Taylor has embraced his father’s lessons about working harder than everyone else and playing with a chip on his shoulder. He has also leaned on former Alabama All-American Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who now works in Alabama’s player development department.
That combination of influences appears to be paying off.
Taylor generated positive buzz during Alabama’s spring practices and was reportedly one of the team’s top performers during summer workouts. He even earned the defensive “BMF” belt from Alabama director of sports performance David Ballou.
But the biggest reason to believe Taylor could become a surprise contributor is the progress he has made on the field.
Taylor identified his football IQ and communication as two areas where he has improved considerably since arriving in Tuscaloosa. Those are particularly important developments for a safety hoping to earn snaps in a crowded secondary.
Alabama returns starting safeties Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb, but that doesn’t necessarily mean Taylor will be stuck on the sideline.
The Crimson Tide has demonstrated a willingness to rotate defensive backs, and the safety room could be one of the deepest position groups on the roster. Zavier Mincey and freshman Jireh Edwards are also candidates to compete for playing time.
Taylor, however, appears determined to force his way into that conversation.
Sabb praised Taylor’s willingness to compete, learn and put in extra work, while Hubbard said the young defensive back has been “flying around” and playing well every day.
Those comments are notable coming from two players Taylor will have to compete with for snaps.
Taylor isn’t shy about what he expects from himself, either.
“A big role, really big role,” he said.
That confidence may sound ambitious, but his offseason work suggests Taylor isn’t simply talking.
If he can turn that preparation into consistent production, Ivan Taylor could quickly go from an overlooked member of Alabama’s secondary to one of the Crimson Tide’s most pleasant surprises in 2026.
This Alabama DB Could Be the Crimson Tide’s Next Breakout Star