Tide's Brown, Pierre Named SEC Co-Defensive Players Of The Week

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Alabama defensive standouts Zabien Brown and Yhonzae Pierre were named Southeastern Conference Co-Defensive Players of the Week on Monday following the Crimson Tide’s 37-20 win over No. 11 Tennessee on Saturday.

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UA Athletics says the honor marks the first SEC weekly award for both players and brings Alabama’s season total to eight league recognitions.

Brown, a sophomore cornerback, delivered one of his best outings of the year against the Volunteers, logging 57 coverage snaps and allowing just 16 yards across six targets.

He also tied a team-high and set a new career best with seven tackles while adding a pivotal 99-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the first half.

The pick-six, the second longest in program history, gave Alabama a 20-17 halftime lead and shifted momentum firmly in the Tide’s favor. It also marked Alabama’s first interception returned for a score since 2023.

Pierre, a sophomore linebacker, anchored the Alabama front, matching his career high with six tackles — including five solo stops — and recording a career-best three sacks for a loss of 31 yards.

Pierre’s pressure helped limit the Volunteers to just 20 points and 410 total yards, well below their season averages.

His three sacks were the most by a Crimson Tide defender in a single game since 2021 and came against a Tennessee offensive line that had surrendered only four sacks in its first six games.

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