Organization Logo

Ohio State

player headshot

Kent State

Ball State

Alabama

Football

Profile Image

Basketball

team image

Mundy's Mill

D-II / NAIA

Liberty Christian

Argyle

Wide Receiver

Texas

Scholarship traits at the Group of 5 level, with the tools to earn Power 4 looks as you develop.

Group of 5

The Brook Hill School

Tyler

Clay-Chalkville

Pinson

Lone Peak

American Fork

Defensive Line

Utah

In the first installment we discussed how the previous two recent meetings don't mean much for understanding this game. Ryan Day acknowledge as much

kobe (2)

Inside Texas Football

Inside Texas

Why Texas and Ohio State Are So Similar

The 2026 college football season is approaching, and per usual, quarterbacks will define much of the campaign. Unlike last year, when many top

ESPN Top 40 Football

On3 Football

ESPN ranks the 40 most important college football players ahead of the 2026 season

Despite some significant losses this offseason, including having seven 2025 starters selected in the first two rounds of April's 2026 NFL Draft, Ohio

Ryan Day and Caleb Downs (Mick Walker/Lettermen Row)

Ryan Day reveals Caleb Downs assisted in Ohio State's recruitment of former Alabama transfers

The 2026 college football season is quickly approaching, and Big Ten programs have finalized their rosters after another busy transfer portal cycle.

Big Ten FOX

FOX Sports identifies top transfer portal addition for every Big Ten team entering 2026

As the 2026 college football season quickly approaches, it is time to look at the top players at each position in the Big Ten.  We will continue our

Nebraska - 3 images - hookly (4)

HuskerOnline Football

HuskerOnline

Ranking the Big Ten: Interior Defensive Line

Ohio

James Smith is back in Alabama after transferring from G.W. Carver High School in Montgomery, Ala., to IMG Academy. At the time, Smith said "business- and experience-wise," the move made sense for him. However, he returned back to Alabama and is now one of the top overall prospects in the state. Smith plans on majoring in engineering in college. He lists basketball as his hobby. His father, Charles, is a firefighter. His mother, Malecia Smith, works as a beautician. Smith’s sibling is Jaylen.

Carver

James Smith

Ohio State Buckeyes

Missouri

Auburn

IMG Academy

Alabama Crimson Tide

Buffalo

James Smith's quick first step, length and strong punch remind us of fellow Alabama native, Marcell Dareus. Like Dareus, Smith is a highly disruptive defensive lineman at the prep level. Smith is a bit heavier than Dareus at the same stage, but Dareus added considerable mass in college and the NFL. 

Not enough on film yet to project a level. Add more game film and verified measurables to unlock a full projection.

Undetermined

A developmental projection today — keep adding film, measurables, and reps, and your evaluation grows with your game.

D-III / Developmental

Scholarship-caliber traits for Division II and NAIA programs, with room to climb through continued development.

Scholarship traits at the FCS level, with room to climb through continued development and film.

Starter-caliber traits for a Power 4 program (SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC). Squarely on major-conference radars.

Power 4 Prospect

Blue-chip traits — a high-priority Power 4 target with the tools to contribute early at the highest level.

Blue Chip

The top of the scale — national-caliber talent that every major program pursues, with a clear NFL trajectory.

Elite / Top 100

Possesses arguably 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. Trimmed down to around 295 pounds prior to his senior year. Plays with high energy and violent physicality. A dominant player as a freshman and sophomore prior to transferring to IMG Academy as a junior. Returned home to Montgomery Carver as a senior and turned in a strong final campaign. Lined up all over the defensive front, showing the ability to disrupt from multiple spots. 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. 

Recruiting Board

Rivals

Teams

Fan Sites

Forums

Shows

team-link

College Football News

College Football Player Rankings

College Football Schedule

College Football Scores

College Football Rankings

College Football Playoff

College Basketball News

Women's Sports

College

NIL News

NIL Valuation

NIL Deals

Sports Business

Transfer Portal News

NCAA Transfer Portal News

NCAA Transfer Portal

Transfer Portal Rankings

Transfer Portal Team Rankings

Transfer Portal

NCAA Transfer Portal Home

Football Recruiting

Basketball Recruiting

Database

Team Rankings

Player Rankings

Industry Comparison

Commitments

Recruiting Prediction Machine

Recruiting

High School News

Schools

High School Search

Rankings

High School Rankings

Scores

High School Scores

High School

NFL Draft

NFL Draft News

Draft By Stars

College Draft History

NBA Draft

NBA Draft News

Draft

NASCAR

Sports Predictions

About

On3 App

Advertise

Press

Contact

Women's Basketball

Softball

Baseball

Arizona State

Arizona

Arizona Wildcats Sports Forum

Arkansas

Baylor

Boston College

California

Test

Clemson

Colorado

Duke

Florida

Florida State

Georgia

Georgia Tech

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Iowa State

Kansas

Kansas State

Kentucky

KSBoard

Lettermen Row

Lettermen Lounge

Louisville

Maryland

Miami

Michigan State

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi State

NC State

Nebraska

North Carolina

Northwestern

Notre Dame

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Ole Miss

The Main Board

Oregon

Oregon State

Penn State

Pittsburgh

Purdue

Rutgers

South Carolina

Stanford

Syracuse

Tennessee

Texas A&M

Texas Tech

UCLA

Vanderbilt

Virginia

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest

Washington

Washington State

West Virginia

Wisconsin

BamaOnLine

BOL Round Table

IT Members Only

UGASports

The Dawgvent

Scoop Duck

Recruiting & Sports

AuburnSports

Year	Team	GP	TOT	SOLO	AST	SACKS	TFL
2026	OHST	2	2	1	1	0	1
2025	BAMA	12	28	17	11	2.5	6
2024	BAMA	9	19	9	10	1	3
2023	BAMA	3	2	1	1	0	0
Career		26	51	28	23	3.5	10

Date	Opponent	Result	TOT	SOLO	AST	PD	SACKS	TFL	FF	INT
Sep 19	KENT	W 59-3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Sep 5	BALL	W 56-3	2	1	1	0	0	1	0	0

James Smith

2026 Season Stats

Ratings

Career Stats

Game Log

Film

Latest News

Latest News

Photos

Contacts