50 players Alabama fans need to know: The Birmingham native who will ‘outwill you’

EDITOR’S NOTE: Between now and the unofficial kickoff to the football preseason at SEC Media Days on July 20, 205focus.com is featuring one Alabama football player per day. We continue the series today with QB Reese.

Don't let the name fool you—QB Reese isn't a signal-caller, but he is certainly aiming to make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks during the 2026 season.

Entering his third year with the Crimson Tide, the former Ramsay High School standout is hungry for a breakout role on defense. The inside linebacker room is undergoing a massive transformation following the departures of stalwarts Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikhai Hill-Green, who combined to handle the heavy lifting at the second level throughout the 2025 campaign.

With experience thin in the middle, Reese is positioning himself as a primary candidate to step into the spotlight.

Proving His Worth

Reese saw his most significant action last season on special teams, highlighted by a standout performance against Louisiana Monroe where he forced a fumble and recovered another. He finished his 2025 campaign with six total tackles, but his growth has caught the attention of the coaching staff.

Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack praised Reese’s impact following the ULM victory. “That last takeaway that we got, he did a nice job of coming in there and punching the ball out,” Wommack noted. “Those are things that we chart and practice every day. He’s a guy that continues to do those things in practice and then it showed up on game day.”

The 'Fight of the Dog'

Teammates recognize the tenacity that defines Reese’s game. Alabama defensive tackle Tim Keenan III highlighted Reese’s mentality earlier this year, brushing off concerns about his frame.

“They say he’s kind of undersized and whatnot,” Keenan said at the NFL scouting combine. “But it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the fight of the dog, you feel me? So QB is always gonna outwill you, no matter what.”

As the team gears up for the season, Reese is firmly in the mix for a starting spot. While Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson is expected to hold down one role, Reese is locked in a battle with Luke Metz to earn the other starting position.

COMING MONDAY: We feature Crimson Tide running back Daniel Hill, Alabama’s top returning scorer.