Terrence Swift of Winning Edge Training in Birmingham, Alabama was recently able to work with two of Alabama football’s promising young defensive linemen.
Swift has worked with numerous former and current Alabama football defenders, including Daron Payne, Quinnen Williams, Phidarian Mathis, DJ Dale, Anfernee Jennings, Que Robinson, Tim Keenan III, Hunter Osborne, Tim Smith, Kelby Collins and Jordan Renaud.
College football players everywhere are currently taking advantage of some individual training which means Swift is very busy working with some of college football’s best offensive and defensive linemen. Renaud and James Smith participated in one of Swift’s most recent college workout sessions.
Renaud has worked out under Swift several times since joining the Crimson Tide. The Florida native was a depth piece in 2024 for the Tide, playing in 12 games and recording 14 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a half a sack. He is expected to have an expanded role in 2025, and Swift feels he looks like he is up for the challenge.
Photo By Ken Sheppard
“He’s a kid that’s going to work, put the work in, and he likes to be the best he can be,” Swift said. “He messes up, he wants to keep doing it until he gets it right. He’s a hard worker, very coachable. He’s very explosive, got strength, not the biggest size, but he’s got some dog in him. He can play some end, and he can also play some three techniques if he needs to on rush downs, but he’s a guy that can do it all and got some good upside still. He’s going to be a sleeper for sure. But when he gets his time to shine, which he did sometime last year, he had a couple of plays he made. I think he gonna make some more play this year. But of course, Alabama’s defensive line is very stacked.”
Many believe Smith could have a breakout season for the Crimson Tide in 2025. The former five-star out of Carver Montgomery appeared to get better and better as a sophomore in 2024. He finished the year with 20 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and one sack. Smith’s recent training session was the first time he worked with Swift after seeing his former teammates, Tim Smith and Que Robinson, get some draft prep work in with the OL/DL specialist.
Swift thinks Smith can make a name for himself getting after the quarterback.
“He is physical, but James has a quick get off,” Swift told Touchdown Alabama. “At the end of training, we were doing get-offs, and he got off the ball as soon as I moved. His get-off was very quick and explosive to be almost 300 pounds. He can stop the run, but I think James gonna make a lot of plays in the backfield getting sacks.”
Photo By Ken Sheppard
Alabama players are not the only special defensive line talent Swift is working with during the offseason. He also has the privilege of working with Auburn defensive lineman and possible first-round draft pick, Keldric Faulk.
“He is driving two hours twice a week to get work in from Auburn,” said Swift. “He trusts me, and I’m glad he put his trust in me to get that work in. He’s one of a kind. Keldric, just like the other guys, They can play different positions. Keldric has proven on the field he can play all five. He can get inside and make plays at every position.”
Lets Raise the Stock 📈📈📈
Auburn Tigers (@AuburnFootball ) Elite Defensive Lineman Keldric Faulk (@FaulkKeldric ) working his craft‼️
Junior Season Loading,,,,,,,,#WEdifferent pic.twitter.com/y4ygvOMg2C— Coach T. Swift (@coachswift64) May 9, 2025
Alabama football is looking to use its defensive line depth to its advantage in 2025, and Smith and Renaud could be valuable parts of that depth.
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Justin Smith is the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
