Pair of top transfer portal defenders James Smith, Qua Russaw leaving Alabama for Ohio State

Two of the transfer portal’s top defenders are leaving one power for another.

Former Alabama defensive lineman DL James Smith and edge rusher Qua Russaw are transferring to Ohio State. Both players confirmed the news Monday night on their respective Instagram pages.

Per On3, both players were 5-star recruits coming out of high school. Neither produced at that level at Alabama, but both carry upside as they head to an Ohio State team that will again seek to compete for a national championship next season.

Qua Russaw is leaving Alabama for Ohio State.

(Jason Clark via Getty Images)

Per ESPN, Smith is the 30th ranked player in the transfer portal. Russaw is ranked 38th.

A rising senior, Smith tallied 28 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks in 15 games last season. Russaw, a rising junior, posted 14 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 sack in nine games in 2025.

They’ll both join an Ohio State program that finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the nation, but lost its last two games to Indiana in the Big Ten championship and then Miami in the College Football Playoff.

Despite the disappointment, Ohio State projects as a top 5 team next season and is on the short list of favorites to compete for a second national championship in three seasons. Smith and Russaw project to bolster that case along with the Buckeyes’ defense.

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