Former Alabama Defensive Tackle James Smith, the No. 1 Defensive Tackle in the Transfer Portal, Commits to Ohio State

Former Alabama defensive tackle James Smith, ranked as the No. 1 interior defensive lineman in the 247Sports transfer portal rankings, committed to the Buckeyes on Monday over fellow finalists Georgia, LSU, Missouri and Tennessee.

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

Smith is ranked the No. 7 overall prospect in the portal in addition to being the top defensive lineman. He collected 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks for the Crimson Tide as a junior in 2025 and enters Ohio State with one season of eligibility remaining. He committed simultaneously with teammate and edge rusher Qua Russaw on Monday.

Smith was rated as a five-star prospect out of high school as the No. 28 overall recruit and No. 2 defensive lineman in the recruiting class of 2023. He appeared in nine games as a freshman during legendary head coach Nick Saban's final season, but played an increased role as a rotational player the following year. In 13 games, he racked up 20 tackles, 3.5 TFLs and one sack.

Then, in 2025, Smith started 12 of Alabama's 15 games and had his best season yet. He brings great size to the interior of Ohio State's defensive line at close to 300 pounds and could be a factor at either the 3-technique or nose guard positions.

Smith joins four-star UCF transfer John Walker as Ohio State portal pickups at defensive tackle. Junior Eddrick Houston and redshirt junior Will Smith Jr. both had rotational roles in 2025 and should provide competition to both men, with redshirt junior Jason Moore being another candidate to factor into the rotation.