Alabama football players respond to preseason rankings ahead of 2026 season

During Alabama's media day, football players addressed the preseason rankings and external skepticism ahead of the 2026 season. The Crimson Tide is currently ranked No. 11 in the preseason coaches poll, its lowest position in over a decade, and is projected by media members to finish sixth in the SEC.

Players reported that summer conditioning, led by strength and conditioning coach David Ballou, was extremely rigorous. Sophomore defensive back Ivan Taylor noted that the intense training is a necessary