Two of the transfer portal’s top defenders are leaving one power for the other.
Former Alabama defensive lineman DL James Smith and edge rusher Qua Russaw will transfer to Ohio State. Both players confirmed the news on their respective Instagram pages on Monday night.
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According to On3, both players were five-star prospects coming out of high school. Neither reached that level at Alabama, but both have room for upside as they head to Ohio State, which will once again be looking to compete for a national title next season.
Qua Russaw is leaving Alabama for Ohio State.
(Jason Clark via Getty Images)
According to ESPN, Smith is ranked No. 30 in the transfer portal. Russaw ranked 38th.
As a rising senior, Smith totaled 28 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 15 games last season. Russo is a rising star who has 14 tackles, one tackle and one sack in nine games in 2025.
They will both join an Ohio State program that was ranked No. 1 in the nation during the regular season but lost to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship and then to Miami in the College Football Playoff.
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Despite the disappointment, Ohio State is still expected to finish in the top five next season and be on the shortlist for a second national title in three seasons. Smith and Russo plan to work with the Buckeyes’ defense to back up the situation.