5-star defensive lineman James Smith of Carver High School (AL) is one of the top remaining recruits uncommitted and is being wooed by all of the top SEC schools
It’s no surprise when a unanimous five-star recruit, the top player in the state of Alabama, generates attention in the SEC. Since 2020, every top-ranked player in Alabama has committed to Alabama, and 11 of the last 15 in that spot have gone to join the ranks with Nick Saban. Two of those other four chose Auburn, while the other two left the conference altogether, going to Clemson (Justyn Ross) and Florida State (Jameis Winston). In the class of 2023, all of the attention lies on James Smith, an uncommitted defensive tackle from Montgomery, Alabama.
At the present time, Smith is open to several SEC schools, which could mark the first time in the modern era that the top Alabama state recruit stays in the SEC without attending an Alabama school. Isn’t that a crazy stat?
On3 has likened Smith to Marcell Dareus, a Bama defensive tackle who went on to have a successful career in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s a big kid, listed at 6’3″ and 295 lbs, and has already generated a NIL valuation of $213,000.
James Smith is a playing with pure aggression and violence tonight.
Since moving into the interior of Carver’s defensive line, he has made his presence felt on every play. pic.twitter.com/6DZAEdCXTU
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) September 2, 2022
More Sports News
James Smith has been operating as a professional already
Smith’s father, Charles, is a firefighter. His mother, Melacia, is a beautician. Smith plays basketball in his spare time. If anyone knows how to grind and how to work, it’s James Smith – who grew up watching his parents.
As a junior, Smith transferred to the illustrious IMG Academy based out of Bradenton, Florida. The move made sense to Smith at the time, who made the decision for “business and experience-wise” reasons. However, after the 2021 season, he quietly transferred back home to Carver High.
“I can’t tell (coaches what happened at IMG) because I don’t know,” his high school coach, Marcus Gardner told AL.com.
“I wasn’t down there. But he’s back and he’s doing everything he’s supposed to do. He’s gonna show you he’s the best player in the country.”
In his spare time, Smith works with Todd Dowell, the owner of MadHouse Athletic Training in Montgomery. His comparison for Charles Smith? NFL star Quinnen Williams.
https://twitter.com/james_benedetto/status/1583280017643274240
In Smith’s own words, he is all business. He hates posing for pictures because posing isn’t real.
“I like the people that have to catch me [smiling],” Smith told AL.com earlier this summer.
“I don’t like talking. I don’t like that whole putting the jersey on, let’s go on a visit, let’s do that, let’s do this… ‘Why do you never smile?’ ‘I play football.’”
James Smith is part of a package deal
It’s no secret that recruiting James Smith is a bit tricky, and will require the recruitment of another Carver five-star prospect; Qua Russaw.
Russaw is an athletic edge rusher who will be growing into his frame as he plays college. He can play there or he can play as a box linebacker, where most analysts actually have him pinned. Regardless, the two together have been dominating the competition at Carver with their pass-rushing prowess.
The two share a remarkable bond with each other that goes deeper than football.
“That is my brother,” Smith explained. “We have been going through this process together, so it is really easy for us to click on the same level. We have done everything together, so it is easy.”
So easy for you, big guy. Not for college recruiters.
Russaw echoed the same sentiments about his teammate himself.
“He is my brother,” said Russaw. “We are always together. We are around each other at the house, we do everything together, and we have been on all of our visits together. We are just brothers.”
The two plan to graduate high school this December and early enroll in the school of their choice, and right now for both of them, it is leaning toward Alabama. The only thing that they have figured out – is Florida over LSU. That’s too bad for Brian Kelly and LSU, who are building a remarkable recruiting class themselves.
What a tackle-for-loss from five-star EDGE Qua Russaw! https://t.co/6O0826cWTSpic.twitter.com/hGRpiOZG0m
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) August 26, 2022
The recruitment options
At the present time, both players are leaning toward attending Alabama. On3’s predictor machine has both players listed with Alabama as the top option so far.
That being said, still, in the running are Georgia, Auburn, Florida, and Texas A&M, who are all vying for the support of the two prospects.
The most three realistic options, to me, are Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia. Auburn makes the most sense if the two want to play right away. Auburn is about to lose a lot of defensive linemen to the NFL Draft and will have holes that need to be filled immediately, and I would fully expect James Smith to start immediately in that case. The only thing that could hold Auburn back is the fact that for some unknown reason, Auburn is holding onto head coach Bryan Harsin, and will inevitably replace him at the end of the season. That uncertainty could keep Auburn out of the running.
Georgia could make a case to get both of them on the field at the same time. Kirby Smart has made this a priority, even attending basketball games that the two play in. The Bulldogs run a three-deep rotation on the defensive line and will rotate their players in and out of the game as though it’s a hockey line shift. They could both see a lot of playing time quickly.
5-Star LB Qua Russaw gets pressure on the Pike Road QB while rushing along the interior of the defensive line. Forces a FG.
12-7 Pike Road pic.twitter.com/K48txOThCX
— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) October 21, 2022
Last, but not least, it’s so hard to get out of the state with Nick Saban pumping players into the NFL at Alabama. With the depth, they will have to wait, but it could very well be worth it for both of them.
Don’t sleep in Florida, either. Of the three official visits the pair have taken so far, Florida was one of the stops. While it’s not as favorable for the pair in terms of immediate playing time together, there is a lot to like about what new head coach Billy Napier is doing down there and he could find a way to spotlight those two.
Smith is primed to be a valuable versatile lineman
Wherever they chose to go, schemes will play a huge part in it. Smith’s hulking body suggests that he can’t play defensive end, but his athletic ability changed minds very quickly.
“When I first got here, I thought there was no way he was an end,” Coach Gardner explained to AL.com. “But after I saw him for a week, I realized he could play inside or outside. He’s that explosive. In college, it will depend on the scheme. He has the body of a 3-technique, but definitely could play end with no problem.”
“They feel like I could play both,” Smith told AL.com. “And I like playing both. I feel like I am quick enough and fast enough to do that if they want me to do it.”
Both players should be stars together in college no matter where they play. Wherever they chose to go, we will be watching with open eyes and bad breath.
