The Ohio State Buckeyes just got a major reinforcement up front-and it’s coming by way of Tuscaloosa.
With the departure of key contributors and a defensive front in transition, Ohio State needed to reload, not rebuild. Enter James Smith, a former five-star recruit and Alabama transfer who’s bringing both SEC experience and serious upside to Columbus.
Let’s set the stage: Last season, the Buckeyes leaned heavily on their defense to carry a young, evolving offense. That unit helped Ohio State notch 12 regular-season wins and a trip to the Big Ten Championship. But with defensive tackles Kayden McDonald and Tywone Malone heading to the NFL Draft, and Maxwell Roy, Eric Mensah, and Jarquez Carter exiting via the transfer portal, the D-line was suddenly looking thin.
That’s where Smith comes in-and he’s not just a depth piece.
Smith broke through as a starter for Alabama in 2025, and while his stat line-28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two QB hurries, and a pass breakup-might not leap off the page, it tells the story of a player who was beginning to tap into his vast potential. At 6-foot-3 and 297 pounds, Smith has the size, athleticism, and pedigree to be more than just a rotational guy. He’s expected to be an impact player right away for the Buckeyes.
Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack saw the flashes, too. He praised Smith’s athleticism and playmaking ability, noting that while consistency was still a work in progress, the upside was hard to miss.
“James flashes,” Wommack said. “He’s a very athletic player.
He does some really good things. Needs to become more consistent.”
That’s the key for Ohio State. If defensive line coach Larry Johnson can help Smith smooth out the rough edges and string together those flashes over four quarters, the Buckeyes might just have landed one of the most important transfers of the offseason.
Smith finished his Alabama career with 48 tackles and 3.5 sacks over three seasons. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
He’s a player with the tools to dominate in the trenches-quick off the snap, strong at the point of attack, and disruptive when he’s locked in. And in a Big Ten that’s only getting more physical, his presence in the middle could be a game-changer.
Losing a player like McDonald is never easy. He was an All-American for a reason.
But Ohio State didn’t just plug a hole-they went out and found a high-ceiling replacement who’s already proven he can hold his own in the SEC. That’s no small feat.
As the Buckeyes look to make another run at the College Football Playoff, the defense will again be asked to set the tone. With James Smith in the mix, they’ve added a piece who can help do just that.