Yhonzae Pierre is a Monster in Cleats

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Mean.

Violent.

Brute.

Alpha.

Power.

Those are just a few words I would use to describe Alabama “defender” Yhonzae Pierre.

I say defender because they move him around by design. He’s listed as a “linebacker,” but really, he’s a free-lancer. He’s all over the place. You never know where he’s coming from, but rest assured, he’s coming.

In that way⎯

Pierre offers a lot of game planning flexibility.

Sometimes, he’s lined up at defensive end with his hand down in the dirt. Other times, he’s standing up off the edge.

He flip-flops back and forth to test both of the opponent’s offensive tackles.

Sometimes he lines up over the center and hard-presses the interior gaps.

When he’s not rushing the passer, he’s dropping into pass coverage or playing the run. They also used him to “spy” the quarterback.

He makes his presence felt no matter what he’s doing.

Did I say felt?

I did.

Pierre packs a punch to remember.

Tell me more about Pierre as a pass-rusher

Per Pro Football Focus (PFF) in 2025:

• 9 sacks
• 2 hits
• 34 hurries

Disruptive?

Yeah, I’d say so.

Another thing I noticed⎯

Just his presence in the pocket alone was enough to flush the quarterback out.

And it isn’t just the vantage points he’s coming from either⎯

He has some pass-rushing moves. I charted how many times he used each in my notes.

• Head-fake (19x)
• Spin-move (11x)
• Swim (1x)

He also resorted to the good ol’ bull rush a couple of times when he flexed.

That was fun to watch.

Alabama Linebacker #42 Yhonzae Pierre.

Bull Rush.

Vs. Tennessee (2025) pic.twitter.com/1cXK7iAbnm

— FIRST ROUND MOCK (@firstroundmock) October 28, 2026

Tell me more about Pierre in pass coverage and against the run

There are plays where he looks like he’s going to rush the passer, but then he primarily drops into short zone coverage (which is when a defender is assigned a specific area of the field to cover). However, he also shows the ability to keep up with running backs and tight ends in man coverage (that’s when a defender is assigned a specific player to cover).

Per PFF 2025:

• 12 targets
• 10 receptions
• 83.3% reception percentage

How about against the run?

Pierre is inconsistent at shedding blocks, but he’s not short on effort. He ended up around the tackle pile 50x according to my notes.

Per PFF in 2025:

• 38 tackles (10 assists)
• 21.3% missed tackle percentage

Here’s the thing⎯

When he connects with ball carriers, I doubt they forget it.

Pierre hammers them.

🔨

Full disclosure

Are there any negatives?

Of course there are.

Nobody’s perfect (that includes prospects).

A few of the negatives:

I didn’t like Pierre down by the goal line (too passive), and he’s susceptible to play-misdirection. He’ll bite.

…And he’s not a machine. I’d say he was all out 75% of the time.

High ceiling

One of the things that struck me as I watched Pierre play in 15 games in 2025⎯

It felt like he was still learning kind of how to do everything out there.

Scary thought.

#42 (jersey number in 2025) Yhonzae Pierre 6-foot-3, 251 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2026 Fall Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First-Round prospect as of October 29, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: FSU, UL-Monroe, Wisconsin, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Tennessee, South Carolina, LSU, Oklahoma, Eastern Illinois, Auburn, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Indiana (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Note: Would be a perfect fit in Brian Flores’ defense in Minnesota

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Man amongst boys. Hunter. Looks consistent on tape game-by-game. Played in the rotation. Demonstrative. Game-changing ability. Fast first step as a pass rusher. High energy. Electric movements. Heavy hands. Hardcore at the point of attack. Can extend and lock out. Good short-area close. Above-average pocket adjustments. Likes “X” stunts. Above-average range. Double-teamed 29x vs. pass and 3x vs. run.

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season

1. Fooled by misdirection?

2. How does he look down by the goal line?

3. How does he look taking on run blocks?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.

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