“I really hope this kid plays like what I just saw from January to July.” James Smith Has Been Turning Heads ALL Offseason. Is He Primed to Be the Next Alabama Breakout Player?
If Alabama fans were looking for the next big thing — the next unsung hero ready to explode onto the national scene — they might not have to look any further than sophomore defensive lineman James Smith. From the moment winter workouts began in January to the dog days of summer conditioning, Smith has been the talk of Tuscaloosa. Coaches, teammates, strength staff, and even NFL scouts have taken notice of a player who seems poised to make the infamous sophomore leap and emerge as one of the Crimson Tide’s next defensive stars.
“I really hope this kid plays like what I just saw from January to July,” one veteran Alabama assistant told local media during SEC Media Days. “Because if he does, he’s not just going to be a breakout — he’s going to be a problem for every offensive line in the country.”
Smith, a former five-star recruit out of Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama, was part of the elite 2023 defensive haul that also included Qua Russaw, Keon Keeley, and Caleb Downs. While Downs quickly saw the field and made a name for himself in the secondary, Smith’s freshman season was quieter — not because of lack of talent, but due to depth, adjustment to the college game, and the sheer size and speed difference in the SEC trenches.
Still, behind the scenes, Smith was learning. Watching. Grinding.
And now, as Alabama begins its first full season under head coach Kalen DeBoer, the buzz surrounding Smith is deafening.
Multiple sources inside the program have confirmed that Smith has been dominant in practice reps, showing a mix of raw power, improved technique, and explosiveness that has drawn comparisons to former Tide greats like Quinnen Williams and Da’Ron Payne. Those are lofty comparisons, but for those who’ve watched Smith’s development up close, they don’t seem out of reach.
“He’s finally figured it out,” said Tide defensive line coach Freddie Roach. “He’s always had the size and strength. Now he’s learning how to use leverage, how to read blocks, how to finish. He’s playing smarter, faster. And you can see it in every drill.”
At 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, Smith already has the prototypical build for an interior defensive lineman. But what makes him unique is how well he moves for his size. Alabama strength staff say Smith clocked a sub-5.0 second 40-yard dash this spring, along with a 30-inch vertical and a 500-pound squat. Numbers like that suggest NFL-caliber athleticism — and more importantly, versatility. Smith has been taking reps at both defensive tackle and defensive end in Alabama’s multiple front looks, and his ability to collapse pockets from the inside could be a game-changer for a defense in transition.
Former Alabama linebacker and current SEC Network analyst Christian Miller noted Smith’s rise during spring practice.
“You could just see it,” Miller said. “He wasn’t thinking anymore. He was reacting. He was disruptive. You can’t coach motor, and James was flying around with something to prove.”
Smith’s story is also one of maturity. Coming out of high school, he was praised for his raw ability but also faced scrutiny over consistency and conditioning. He admitted in early interviews that the adjustment to college life, the demands of Alabama’s strength program, and the mental pressure of competing at the highest level all hit him harder than expected.
“I thought I was ready,” Smith told reporters this spring. “But it took me a while to really understand what it meant to play at Alabama. It’s not just talent. It’s work, every day. It’s attention to detail. You can’t take plays off. You can’t take workouts off. You’ve got to live it.”
That mentality shift is what has earned him the respect of his coaches and teammates this offseason. Several upperclassmen have pointed to Smith as one of the most locked-in players during winter workouts and summer conditioning. Defensive captain Deontae Lawson called him “relentless.” Safety Malachi Moore said Smith was “a dog in the trenches. You don’t want to line up across from him right now.”
Those kinds of comments don’t come lightly in a program built on competition. Alabama doesn’t give out hype — you earn it. And Smith is finally earning his place in the spotlight.
As the Crimson Tide transition into a new era with Kalen DeBoer bringing fresh energy and offensive innovation to the program, the defense remains in the hands of familiar faces like Roach and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. But there is a clear desire to see new playmakers emerge up front.
That’s where Smith fits in. With multiple departures to the NFL — including Justin Eboigbe and Tim Smith — there are snaps and opportunities available on the defensive line. Coaches have made it clear that the depth chart is fluid, and players like Smith who maximize their offseason can seize the moment.
And he’s not just showing up on the practice field. According to sources close to the program, Smith has also made a noticeable shift in film study habits, weight room accountability, and vocal leadership. While still a young player, he’s reportedly begun mentoring early enrollees and younger linemen — another strong sign of his growing maturity.
NFL scouts have already taken note, especially after Alabama’s spring game, where Smith recorded two sacks and four tackles in limited action. While he’s not yet draft-eligible, evaluators are watching closely, knowing that a breakout sophomore season could put him on the radar for 2026 and beyond.
“James has first-round tools,” said one NFL scout at the Alabama Pro Day. “Now it’s about consistency and putting it together over a full season. If he keeps trending like this, he’ll be a household name by October.”
Of course, hype is one thing. Production is another. Alabama fans know better than most that spring and summer standouts don’t always translate to fall monsters. But what sets Smith apart is that his rise is being corroborated by multiple sources inside the building — from weight room staff to positional coaches to teammates.
There’s a sense that this isn’t just a hot streak. It’s a transformation.
As Alabama prepares for a challenging 2025 schedule that includes early tests against Wisconsin, Ole Miss, and Georgia, the need for interior disruption is critical. With offenses spreading the field and tempo increasing, the ability to pressure quarterbacks without blitzing — and to control gaps in the run game — could define the success of the defense. Smith has the skillset to do both.
Kane Wommack has already hinted that Alabama will lean into hybrid fronts, more simulated pressures, and rotational personnel — a scheme designed to put players like Smith in one-on-one situations where their talent can shine. And with Smith now among the top performers in the offseason performance index, there’s little doubt he’ll be a major part of the equation.
For Smith, the next step is obvious: carry it over into fall camp and beyond.
“I’ve come too far to slow down now,” he said. “This is what I came here for — to dominate, to be great, to win. It’s my time.”
And for Alabama, who continues to search for new stars in a post-Saban era, James Smith might just be the next one.
He’s turned heads from January to July. Now it’s time to turn the field upside down on Saturdays.
