Former Alabama Edge Rusher Qua Russaw Transfers to Ohio State

Former Alabama edge rusher Qua Russaw, a near-five-star prospect from the recruiting class of 2023, is coming to Columbus with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

BREAKING: Alabama transfer DL James Smith and EDGE Qua Russaw have Committed to Ohio State, they tell @On3sports

Both were ranked as five-star recruits coming out of high school and are among the top players in the portal https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/643ol8vgYd

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 12, 2026

Russaw is considered a four-star portal prospect by 247Sports, ranked as the No. 48 overall player in the portal and the No. 9 EDGE. As a recruit, he ranked No. 33 overall and No. 6 EDGE in the 247Sports composite for the class of 2023. He committed simultaneously with teammate and defensive tackle James Smith on Monday.

The Alabama native enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, racking up 36 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and two interceptions while playing Wolf, a hybrid edge/linebacker role in the Crimson Tide's 4-2-5 defense, similar to the "Jack" position Jim Knowles deployed early in his Ohio State tenure. He brings an interesting athletic profile to the defensive end position with the Buckeyes, a chess piece that defensive coordinator Matt Patricia could use as a stand-up edge player who can drop into coverage for some unique schemes, as the Buckeyes' defensive ends did in a more limited capacity in 2025.

Speaking of 2025, Russaw saw his role diminish in Alabama's defense this past season. He played 45 snaps in the Tide's first game, 19 snaps in their second and 41 in their third before breaking his foot in game four and missing seven weeks. After returning for Alabama's 11th game of the season, he never reached 30 snaps in a game. He finished the season with 14 tackles and one sack.

Back healthy, Russaw can be a versatile weapon for Ohio State if he taps back into his five-star potential as in 2024. The Buckeyes are still waiting on an NFL draft decision from returning starter Kenyatta Jackson Jr., but rising sophomore Zion Grady will be a factor after emerging as OSU's No. 3 defensive end as a freshman, overtaking transfers Logan George and Beau Atkinson. Atkinson, redshirt junior Joshua Mickens and redshirt freshman Epi Sitanilei are also expected to return in 2026 while George is transferring to Washington. The Buckeyes also signed three prospects at the position for the 2026 recruiting class: Top-50 prospect Khary Wilder, four-star Dre Quinn and three-star Darryus McKinley.