Alabama DL James Smith Enters Transfer Portal

Alabama has lost its second defensive lineman to the transfer portal, with former four-star defensive lineman James Smith entering the transfer portal, according to reports by Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.

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Smith, a 6-foot-3, 297-pound defensive lineman from Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama, committed to play for former Alabama coach Nick Saban and signed with the Crimson Tide as a member of the 2023 recruiting class. He was ranked as the No. 41 overall player in the class, the No. 5 defensive lineman, and the No. 3 player in Alabama. He originally chose the Crimson Tide over the Auburn Tigers, the Georgia Bulldogs, and the Florida State Seminoles.

He was a close teammate with former Alabama linebacker Qua Russaw in high school, and both Russaw and Smith committed to Alabama. Both players are now in the transfer portal after spending three seasons with the Crimson Tide.

Smith worked in nine games during his true freshman season in 2023, all 13 games for the Tide in 2024, and 14 games with 11 starts for the Crimson Tide in 2025. During his three seasons in Tuscaloosa, Smith totaled 48 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and three pass breakups.

Here is every player who has transferred from Alabama in the transfer portal:

DL James Smith*
LB Qua Russaw
DB Cam Calhoun
WR Rico Scott
DE Keon Keeley
WR Cole Adams
WR Aeryn Hampton
WR Jalen Hale
WR Jaylen Mbakwe
RB Richard Young
LB Noah Carter
OL Roq Montgomery
OL Joseph Ionata
OL Olaus Alinen
OL Micah DeBose
OL Wilkin Formby
DB Kameron Howard

*Most recent addition.

The NCAA Transfer Portal opened on Friday, January 2, and will remain open until January 16.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.