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NFL Draft analyst and expert Todd McShay feels Yhonzae Pierre is a top NFL Edge prospect ahead of the 2026 season. Pierre played in all 15 games for the Crimson Tide last season and started in 12 of them. He finished the year with 52 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. The Alabama native opted to return Tuscaloosa after last season instead of going to the draft. McShay has Dylan Stewart out of South Carolina as his No. 1 edge prospect. Colin Simmons (Texas) at No. 2, Yhonzae Pierre (Alabama) at No. 3, Damon Wilson (Miami) at No. 4, Kenyatta Jackson (Ohio State) at No. 5 and Will Heldt (Clemson) at No. 6. Pierre is expected to start at the Tide’s wolf linebacker position to open the upcoming season. Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.