With just over a week remaining before Alabama kicks off its 2025 season in a high-profile clash against Florida State, all eyes are on the Crimson Tide’s depth chart — especially the defensive line. One of the biggest questions coming out of fall camp surrounds junior James Smith, a rising star who is expected to take on a significant role this year.
Smith has been limited during fall camp due to a minor injury, causing him to miss both of Alabama’s full-contact scrimmages. That absence created some uncertainty about whether the former 5-star recruit would be ready to go by the season opener in Tallahassee. However, recent updates from coaches and practice footage suggest there’s reason for optimism.
“James has been working through, building up,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said after Alabama’s second scrimmage. “Feel good about the progress he’s had in the week of practice with it being live. Needed to hold back there, but he’s getting closer by the day.”
That progress was on full display earlier this week when Smith was seen in full pads, actively leading defensive line drills during the media viewing portion of Tuesday’s practice. His participation appears to signal a positive trend in his recovery and ramp-up for Week 1.
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack echoed the growing confidence in Smith’s readiness.
“Yeah, James is doing a really nice job, was dinged up there for a couple days and has come back nicely, has hit all the markers he needed to hit,” Wommack said Wednesday. “We got him back out there on the field the other day. He looked fresh, fresh legs. He’s such a havoc-style player, right? He can create and generate a lot of havoc in the backfield, which is something I’m excited about in how we’re going to utilize him in that role.”
Smith, who came to Tuscaloosa as a highly touted prospect from Carver Montgomery alongside current starting Wolf linebacker Qua Russaw, is expected to be a key piece of Alabama’s defensive front in 2025. After serving as a rotational player his first two seasons, appearing in 22 games and recording 22 total tackles (including 3.5 for a loss), one sack, and a fumble recovery, Smith now has the opportunity to step into a starting role with the departure of veteran Tim Smith.
It’s not just the coaching staff that’s high on James Smith — the strength and conditioning team has taken notice of his offseason transformation as well. Alabama strength coach David Ballou spoke glowingly of Smith’s development over the summer.
“James had a great, phenomenal offseason,” Ballou said. “A+ if I was like grading our roster from offseason production. James Smith would be in the top five. The physical numbers certainly have been great. The body composition — he’s put on nine pounds of lean mass. But it’s outside, it’s a mentality, the consistency, the maturity, kind of just the intentionality he’s come with to training. I couldn’t be more happy with where he’s at right now mentality-wise, not just physically, but mentality-wise. And I really hope this kid plays like what I just saw from January to July.”
If Smith stays on track, he could be a disruptive force right out of the gate. His explosive style and relentless motor fit perfectly into Alabama’s revamped defense under Wommack, and his growth both physically and mentally points to a breakout campaign ahead.
With the countdown to kickoff officially underway, all signs now suggest that James Smith will be ready to suit up and make an impact in the Tide’s marquee opener against the Seminoles.