The Inside Scoop: Alabama trending for 5-star teammates James Smith, Qua Russaw

Montgomery (Ala.) Carver five-star teammates Qua Russaw and James Smith have talked for most of their recruitment about being a “package deal” at the college level.

The duo trains together, takes visits together, and have been adamant that they will play together at the same school beginning next year. Multiple schools are involved with both of them, including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, and Florida.

But the program trending at the moment with both at the moment is the Crimson Tide, according to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons. He put in an expert prediction for Nick Saban and Co. to land Russaw earlier this week, and he likes where Alabama is at with Smith as well.

“I mean, you always have a little bit of hesitancy when you talk about a package deal,” Simmons said Thursday during On3’s Inside Scoop recruiting show. “A lot of people talk about that, but you know Josh, you’ve been in this business for a long time. How many actually follow through with that? But I believe those two are serious about that, and I do think Alabama is trending for James Smith, too. So maybe we talk about that on the next show, but I do like Alabama trending for both Russaw and James Smith.”

With Simmons’ pick, Alabama currently holds a 74.6 percent chance of landing Russaw’s commitment, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

Qua Russaw and James Smith Recruiting Profiles

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Russaw is the No. 19 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 2 EDGE and the No. 2 player in Alabama.

Smith, meanwhile, checks in as the country’s No. 12 overall prospect, No. 2 defensive lineman and the top player in the Yellowhammer State.

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about them as recruits:

Russaw: “Rugged, athletic EDGE defender who plays with high-level play strength and speed in pursuit. Has adequate size at around 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. Highly active as a high school player on a snap to snap basis. Plays with one of the best effort levels that we’ve seen from a defender in the 2023 cycle. Excels as a pursuit defender, using his speed and motor to track down plays sideline to sideline. Very strong with the ability to stack and shed offensive linemen. Also sees some snaps as an off-ball linebacker. Highly productive as a junior with 27.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. Wins primarily due to his athleticism, play strength and effort level. Will need to continue honing his pass rush moves.”

Smith: “Possesses the best combination of first-step quickness and power among interior defensive line prospects in the 2023 cycle. Extremely quick off the ball, often beating opposing offensive linemen out of their stance. Follows up his first step with considerable upper body and hand strength. Stuns offensive linemen with his punch and gets off of blocks at a high rate. Has a wide-hipped frame without much bad weight. Plays with high energy and violent physicality. A dominant player as a freshman and sophomore prior to transferring to IMG Academy. Finishes plays behind the line of scrimmage with authority. Is able to yank down ball carriers with one hand. Also shows advanced pass rush ability for an interior defensive lineman.”