Alabama just added a big-time boost to its offensive line - and it comes in the form of a battle-tested SEC tackle.
Former Mississippi State left tackle Jayvin James has committed to the Crimson Tide, giving Kalen DeBoer and his staff a major piece to work with as they reshape the offensive front for 2026. James, who entered the portal late, brings with him something Alabama’s line has been missing: real, high-level experience.
The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder has started 21 games over the last two seasons, first at Akron, where he started nine games as a redshirt freshman in 2024, and then at Mississippi State, where he locked down the left tackle spot for all 12 games in 2025. That kind of résumé doesn’t just show up in the portal every day - especially this late in the cycle.
And make no mistake, Alabama needed this. After back-to-back seasons where the offensive line struggled to live up to expectations, DeBoer and his staff have made it clear: the rebuild in the trenches is on. James becomes the sixth offensive lineman added through the portal this offseason, joining a group that already includes Kaden Strayhorn and Ty Haywood from Michigan, Racin Delgatty from Cal Poly, Nick Brooks from Texas, and Ethan Fields from Ole Miss.
Add in the five offensive linemen from the 2026 recruiting class, and Alabama now has 11 new faces in the offensive line room - a complete overhaul. Only five linemen return from last season, and James immediately becomes the most experienced of the bunch. He’ll enter 2026 as a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining, and he’s expected to step right into a leadership role.
While nothing is set in stone, it’s hard to imagine James not being the frontrunner for the starting left tackle job. His arrival also gives the Crimson Tide flexibility.
The staff is high on redshirt freshman Jackson Lloyd, and there’s talk of possibly shifting Michael Carroll inside to guard - though Carroll has shown a preference for staying at right tackle. With James in the fold, Alabama has options, and that’s exactly what you want heading into spring ball.
This portal class continues to be a statement from DeBoer in his first full offseason at the helm. James is the 18th scholarship addition from the portal so far, and his commitment is arguably one of the most important. In a year where Alabama is looking to reestablish its dominance in the trenches, bringing in a proven SEC starter at left tackle is a major step in the right direction.
James brings toughness, size, and savvy to a unit that’s long on talent but short on experience. And if Alabama wants to compete at the highest level in 2026, it’ll need all three.