OPINION: James Smith has opportunity to follow in the footsteps of a former Alabama DL

Aug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman James Smith (23) holds up four fingers on each hand as the games moves to the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. Alabama defeated Western Kentucky 63-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Alabama has been known to develop and produce some of the top defensive linemen in college football over the last decade, and James Smith looks to be next up.

Smith’s path to the field is relatively similar to that of former Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.

Williams redshirted his freshman season, served as a rotational defensive lineman as a redshirt freshman and burst onto the scene as a starter during his redshirt sophomore season.

While Smith’s path to the field is not identical to Williams, it is quite similar.

Smith played in nine games as a true freshman, serving as a backup defensive lineman. As a sophomore, Smith saw an increased role as he played in all 13 games and recorded 20 tackles, 3,5 tackles for loss and one sack.

With Smith now entering his junior season, it has become quite clear that now is his time to burst onto the scene.

As many Alabama fans might recall, Williams was a player that was rarely discussed during his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa. He would receive less attention than defensive linemen Daron Payne, Isaiah Buggs, Da’Shawn Hand and Raekwon Davis. However, he was able to contribute and make a name for himself in year three at the Capstone. As a result, he was a first-round draft pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Smith will be looking to do the same.

The native of Montgomery, Alabama has the opportunity and the potential to follow in the footsteps of Williams.

Smith can play both defensive end and defensive tackle for the Crimson Tide given his ability to effectively rush the passer and negate the run at 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds. Williams was listed at 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds during his redshirt sophomore season.

In his three seasons in Tuscaloosa, Williams played a similar role — wreak havoc as a pass rusher and disrupt the run.

Smith has shown flashes of that through his first two seasons but will look to do so on a more consistent level as a junior.

If Smith can be the force that the coaching staff believes he is, he certainly has the potential to be a first-round draft pick. Alabama’s defensive line needs an interior presence that can apply pressure on the quarterback. Smith can provide that.

Williams was most commonly known for making things difficult for opposing quarterbacks. He made sure opposing teams knew that he would be in the backfield all night long. If anyone on Alabama’s current roster can perform in a similar way, it is Smith.

The start of the 2025 season is a little over three months away. Williams will begin his seventh season with the New York Jets whereas Smith will begin his junior season at Alabama. Despite the age difference, both players have something in common. They both waited patiently for their turn and had the opportunity to make a name for themselves. Smith will look to do so in 2025 for the Crimson Tide.

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Brody Smoot is a team reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “follow” him on X, via @brodysmoot.