Transfer scouting report: What Alabama is getting in Desmond Umeozulu

Sep 27, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Desmond Umeozulu (9) hits Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Cutter Boley (8) as he passes which causes an interception in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Following a hectic January, Alabama’s transfer business is coming to a close. In total, the Crimson Tide added 19 scholarship transfers from the portal. While Alabama didn’t make any blockbuster moves, it was able to strengthen several of its weak spots, leaving head coach Kalen DeBoer optimistic about his roster heading into the spring. 

Over the next few weeks, Touchdown Alabama will examine Alabama’s transfer additions and what they will bring to the Tide this fall. Today, we continue our series with former South Carolina edge rusher Desmond Umeozulu.

What we’ve seen so far 

Umeozulu is one of Alabama’s most underrated additions this offseason. Last year, the 6-foot-6, 255-pound defender finished third on South Carolina with 15 pressures despite playing behind five-star starter Dylan Stewart, according to Pro Football Focus. Umeozulu started one game over 12 appearances last fall, recording 19 tackles, including two stops for a loss with a sack. He also tallied three quarterback hurries. 

Despite his ability to pressure the passer, Umeozulu received a 59.7 pass-rushing grade from PFF. He graded out slightly better as a run defender (66.6) while finishing third on the team with a 78.4 tackling grade. 

Before seeing his defensive usage triple last fall, Umeozulu played 24 games over his previous two seasons at South Carolina, recording a combined 11 tackles, including 0.5 sacks, with three quarterback hurries over that span. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland native committed to the Gamecocks as the No. 22 edge rusher in the 2023 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. 

Umeozulu lined up outside of the opposing defensive tackle for nearly all of his snaps. He can play as a stand-up edge rusher or put his hand in the dirt. 

Where he fits at Alabama 

While Umeozulu should see plenty of playing time in Alabama’s defense, his role might fluctuate throughout games. 

The lengthy defender is built more like a Wolf edge rusher, but Alabama is relatively well-stocked at that position, returning its sacks leader, Yhonzae Pierre (6-foot-3, 248 pounds), and a promising second-year player in Justin Hill (6-foot-3, 242 pounds). Umeozulu could split Wolf reps with that duo, especially against run-heavy teams, where the Tide could utilize his ability to set the edge. However, his most useful role might be switching over to the Bandit position during passing downs. 

Alabama’s Bandit role was decimated this offseason, as LT Overton’s eligibility expired while Jordan Renaud and Keon Keeley both transferred away from the program. The Tide added a versatile defensive lineman in Southern California transfer Devan Thompkins, who currently projects to move to the Bandit position on early downs. 

Thompkins, 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, spent much of his time with the Trojans working out of the 3 technique (on the outside shoulder of an offensive guard) at the defensive tackle position. He’ll likely move inside to that role during passing downs for Alabama, opening up a spot for Umeozulu to serve as the edge rusher opposite of Pierre out of blitz packages. 

If Umeozulu does end up spending more time at the Bandit position, Alabama might have him add 10 to 15 pounds over the next few months. Keeley bulked up his 6-foot-5 frame to 282 pounds to serve in a similar role for the Tide last fall. 

What they’re saying 

“He’s a great player. He’s efficient in getting to the ball. He’s long, fast. He can definitely get to the quarterback. As you can see on the film he’s had here, he’s had a lot of production at South Carolina. I love the player that he’s becoming. From freshman year to here now, he didn’t take the chance to redshirt. He came in as a freshman, played, played as a sophomore, played as a junior. Going to ‘Bama, I fully think it will make him be as a pro even more … I feel like he’s going to finish it out very well.” — former South Carolina defensive back Jalon Kilgore on Umeozulu via AL.com.

See for yourself

Despite netting just 1.5 sacks over the past three seasons,  Umeozulu offers plenty of potential as a pass rusher. The above clip shows his ability to explode off the line and get into the backfield quickly off the edge. While he’ll face stiffer competition than the South Carolina State tackle he raced by on this rep, his skill set should translate to better production in an extended role at Alabama. 

According to PFF, Umeozulu’s 8.3% missed tackle rate would have led all Alabama edge rushers last year. It will be interesting to see if he can execute like that over what figures to be a bigger sample size with the Tide this fall.