LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Athletics Department completes the 2026 Football Team Preview, by highlighting the defense in the final edition of this two-part series.

The Tigers enter the 2026 season with a new leader over the defense as Tanner Luker was announced as the program's Defensive Coordinator in January.

Luker brings a wealth of experience to UWA, spending time with UAB, Tennessee, Morehead State, MSU, and UL Monroe.

Before Luker arrived, West Alabama's defense allowed nearly 30 points and 400 total yards per game in 2025. While bringing back impact players and Preseason All-GSC selections in Chrissean Jones, Exavier McDowell, Jacobi Green, and Anthony Oatis, the Tigers also brought in a slew of highly touted transfers that are slated to make an immediate impact.

DEFENSIVE LINE

McDowell and Oatis lead the charge on the D-Line after being named Preseason All-GSC earlier this month. The duo combined for 11.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, and 12 QB Hurries in 2025, and look to build on that momentum in 2026. 

Jalin Herbert, Antonio Williams, Elijah Dunn, and Jacob Thornton are also key returners. Herbert,  Williams, Dunn, and Thornton played a ton of snaps in 2025, and have put together great camps ahead of Sunday's season opener.

Fred Grooms wore the redshirt last season for West Alabama as a true freshman. Grooms is a breakout candidate for the Tigers as he's destined to garner snaps in 2026.

Martavious Milan and Ansumana Badjie are high impact transfers that are destined to make a difference in their first season with West Alabama. Milan is a JUCO transfer from East Mississippi CC who recorded 25 tackles in 2025. Badjie is a 6'3" 290 LB Defensive Tackle transfer from Bowie State.

Taeshawn Clark is another transfer to keep an eye on. Clark comes to UWA after a stint with Tusculum. The redshirt junior brings the D-Line group more depth and experience.

LINEBACKERS

In 2025, JT Hooten and Michael McGregor combined for 118.0 total tackles which led the team. Both Hooten and McGregor are no longer on the roster, leaving a void to be filled at the position.

Joseph Harper, Kebian Gilmore, Javen Mallett, and Nate Thomason are the perfect players to help fill that void.

 Harper is arguably the biggest transfer addition for the Tigers on the defensive side of the ball. The fifth-year has already been deemed a team captain after putting together a phenomenal Fall Camp on and off the field. Harper transferred in from Southern Miss this past offseason. At Southern Miss, the Linebacker recorded a career-high 50 tackles, with a career-high nine tackles coming against South Alabama. Harper is undoubtedly the captain in the middle of UWA's defense and is expected to have a major 2026 season.

Similar to Harper, Gilmore is a tackling machine. The 6'0" 225 LB Linebacker transferred from Holmes CC where he recorded a career-high 81 tackles, averaging 9.0 per game. 

Mallett is another JUCO transfer, coming from Mississippi Delta while Thomason is a Division I transfer from Memphis.

While UWA brought in Harper, Gilmore, Mallett, and Thomason, they also return Preseason All-GSC selection, Lake Gurley, along with Makel Jones and Kentonio Kelly.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The reigning GSC Defensive Freshman of the Year resides on West Alabama's roster in the form of Chrissean Jones. Jones shined as a true freshman last season and served as one of UWA's top coverage specialists. Now entering his sophomore season, Jones looks to build on the season he turned in a year ago. 

With Jones back in 2026, the Tigers also brought in exceptional talent. Legend Doggett is another massive transfer signee for West Alabama and comes into the new year with high expectations. Doggett is a 6'1" 180 LB Cornerback who put together a stellar season in 2025 with LaGrange. In 2025, Doggett recorded four interceptions and 10 pass breakups, while registering 37.0 total tackles. 

Levi Manson is another big time transfer signee. Coming from Grand View, Manson was one of the highest touted recruits on the NAIA circuit after helping Grand View to a 2025 NAIA National Championship. The Corner recorded a 91 PFF grade, with a 92 score coming in coverage. Those are elite level marks, leading to believe that he automatically elevates the Defensive Back room for UWA.

At Safety, West Alabama returns Preseason All-GSC recipient Jacobi Green while bringing in Division I transfer, KC Bradford and Jamil Peterson. Green returns after recording one of West Alabama's five interceptions in 2025. As for Bradford and Peterson, they're both breakouts candidates for the Tigers after playing great football through Fall Camp. 

With Issaiah Parrish, Brayden Matherson, Donny Anderson, Jeremiah Tatum, and Landon Ball also on the roster, UWA brings a deep Defensive Back room into the 2026 season.

West Alabama's defense is lined up for a bounce back year in 2026. They will get their first test on Sunday against a Tuskegee team that only averaged 17.9 points per game last season.