Nov 29, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Alabama defensive lineman James Smith (23) celebrates his sack of Auburn quarterback Ashton Daniels (12) at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
Alabama football’s starting defensive lineman, James Smith is expected to enter the transfer portal, per multiple reports. Smith is a former five-star and is a product of Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama.
The former five-star played in every game for the Tide this season and started in more than 10 of those games. He finished the year with 28 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
The Crimson Tide continues to lose key contributors to the portal.
Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.