Now is the time for the Alabama Crimson Tide to make the necessary adjustments on defense. After getting back into the College Football Playoff after a year's absence, their defense fell apart in the Rose Bowl vs. the juggernaut Indiana Hoosiers. The fact they could not move the ball on the Hoosiers did not help either. Will the Crimson Tide figure it out soon? Well, to be quite frank, they will need to...
On Monday evening, James Smith and Qua Russaw announced they were transferring to Ohio State.
BREAKING: Alabama transfer DL James Smith and EDGE Qua Russaw have Committed to Ohio State, they tell @On3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 12, 2026
Both were ranked as five-star recruits coming out of high school and are among the top players in the portal https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/643ol8vgYd
Both Montgomery natives committed to Alabama out of high school together. They entered the transfer portal together, and are going to Ohio State together... For as exhausting as this might have been, losing the pair to Columbus does signify one thing that Alabama has to come to grips with. If one of the best defenses in the Power Four sees value in them, Alabama could regret losing the pair...
For now, Kalen DeBoer will have to put even more faith into Kane Wommack to get this defense right.
Bama must adjust after losing James Smith and Qua Russaw to Buckeyes
One of the advantages of this offseason is Alabama can get more in sync with the type of team DeBoer wants to work with. This will be year three for him taking over the Crimson Tide for Nick Saban. In fact, he has spent more time at Alabama than he ever did at Washington. Both jobs are different, but there is no reason to believe he cannot have the Crimson Tide back in the playoff again.
With Ty Simpson turning pro, it will be another era under center at quarterback for the Crimson Tide. Austin Mack has been in school longer, but Keelon Russell offers the higher upside. In reality, Alabama needs to do a far better job of running the football within the context of Ryan Grubb's offense than they have done previously. This is the best way to help sort out any issues on defense.
In the end, losing Smith and Russaw stinks, but it was expected. Going to Ohio State does not pose the same kind of threat it would have if the duo went to another SEC school. Regardless, 2026 feels like the year where Wommack has to take on an even bigger role within the context of this coaching staff. DeBoer knows offense, but will have to become the true CEO-type to ever win a championship.
Alabama's national title hopes next season may sink or swim on Wommack leveling up as a coach.