Alabama natives and former five-star prospects, James Smith and Qua Russaw are taking their talents to Ohio State, according to Hayes Fawcett of ON3.
The pair signed with the Tide as talented prospects out of Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama. Both earned starting roles in their last year with the Tide. Smith remained a starter along the Tide’s defensive line throughout the season, while Russaw had to fight back from a foot injury after starting the Tide’s first few games at wolf linebacker.
Losing these two creates a hole the Tide will need to plug in terms of experience in 2026.
Alabama has not added an edge from the portal, but the Tide has added two defensive linemen with experience in Devan Thompkins and Kedrick Bingley-Jones.
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.
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