Alabama further bolsters DL with addition of Birmingham native, Washington transfer

Adding depth to the defensive line was a big priority for Alabama in the Transfer Portal, and Kalen DeBoer and company just added a second piece in three days.

After landing Mississippi State transfer Kedrick Bingley-Jones on Sunday, the Crimson Tide followed that up on Tuesday by landing a commitment out of the portal from Caleb Smith, a Washington redshirt freshman defensive lineman who is originally from Birmingham.

Alabama adds Washington DL Caleb Smith in the Transfer Portal

Smith was a 3-star recruit out of Parker High School in Birmingham during the 2025 cycle. Alabama didn't offer him out of high school, and he ultimately went way out west to join the Huskies. He took a redshirt this season and didn't appear in any games, so he'll have four seasons of eligibility remaining.

Smith is listed at 6-foot-5, 270 pounds by Washington. He figures to slot into Alabama's Bandit rotation, which took some hits this offseason.

Along with LT Overton exhausting his eligibility, Alabama also saw Keon Keeley leave via the Transfer Portal. That left only Jordan Renaud and Fatutoa Henry as returners at Bandit. Alabama signed three potential Bandits in the 2026 high school class - Jamarion Matthews, Nolan Wilson, and Malique Franklin - but the addition of Smith gives them a player with a year of a college strength and conditioning program under his belt.

USC transfer Devan Thompkins is another player who could factor into the rotation at Bandit, but he has the versatility to play inside or outside.

Smith is a depth addition and an upside swing. He's got the measureables that the staff looks for, and he could develop into a contributor down the line.

Don't expect the Crimson Tide to be done adding talent on the defensive line. Another experienced player or two is needed to put them in a better position.

You can follow along with all of Alabama's Transfer Portal activity by following this link.