Alabama Sophomore Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. Returning in 2026

Alabama sophomore defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. appears to be returning to the Crimson Tide in 2026, as first reported by Touchdown Alabama and reposted by Kirkpatrick on his Instagram.

Get our free mobile app

Kirkpatrick, a 5-foot-11, 202-pound defensive back from Gadsden City High School in Gadsden, Alabama, is the son of former Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick. The sophomore appeared in 20 games over his two-year tenure with the Alabama Crimson Tide. He totaled 11 total tackles, one forced fumble, and one pass breakup.

During the 2025 season, Kirkpatrick played in eight games, with nine tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and a pass breakup. He was suspended indefinitely, missing Alabama's final seven games of the season after he was arrested during Alabama's second bye week. He was charged with three counts of reckless endangerment, one count of attempting to elude, and speeding, according to jail records.

Kirkpatrick Jr. is the son of former Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick, who played for former Alabama head coach Nick Saban from 2009 to 2011. totaling 38 games played, 91 tackles, 16 pass breakups, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and one scoop-and-score on a fumble recovery during his three seasons with the Crimson Tide. Kirkpatrick won two national championships and one SEC championship during his time in Tuscaloosa, and was drafted No. 17 overall in the 2012 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Kirkpatrick Jr. is the third Alabama defensive back to officially announce his return to the Crimson Tide, joining junior Red Morgan and senior Bray Hubbard. Alabama is also expected to retain junior Zabien Brown, sophomore Dijon Lee, sophomore Ivan Taylor, and junior Zavier Mincey as returning members of the Crimson Tide who played in the secondary.

Alabama is currently waiting on an official NFL draft decision from starter Keon Sabb, who is a redshirt junior.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.