Alabama football announced the return of true freshman running back AK Dear through its NIL initiative, Yea Alabama.
Dear signed with Alabama as a four-star recruit out of Quitman High School in Mississippi. He played in five games for the Tide in 2025 as a true freshman. His most meaningful playing time came against Auburn in the Iron Bowl and Georgia in the SEC Championship.
The Mississippi native finished his first year at Alabama with 140 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. His longest rush of the season was against ULM when he broke free for a 56-yard touchdown.