It's been an entire week since Alabama got rocked by Indiana at the Rose Bowl, and Kane Wommack and Freddie Roach are already forming the picture of what they want the Crimson Tide's defensive line to look like in 2026. Wommack and Roach's paint brushes and canvases appear fresh after watching Alabama lose senior DL Tim Kennan III to the NFL, along with Keon Keeley, James Smith, and Kelby Collins, all to the Transfer Portal this past week.
Kennan III, Keeley, Smith, and Collins were all valuable contributors to the Crimson Tide's front seven in 2025, combining for 72 total tackles and 9.5 of Alabama's 33.5 sacks on the season. These departures left big holes in the Crimson Tide's trenches that Wommack and Roach have started to fix, but not completely yet.
One step forward in the right direction of doing so was Alabama's ability to pick up former USC defensive lineman Devan Thompkins on Wednesday. Thompson's addition was huge, but he's just one player and can only do so much with one season of eligibility remaining.
This is why I think Wommack and Roach should be doing their best to help Alabama land former Tennessee defensive lineman Jordan Ross.
Alabama should make a major push for Tennessee transfer Jordan Ross
Ross first popped onto the scene as the No. 1 player in the state of Alabama and a Top-15 prospect in the 2024 recruiting cycle before landing with the Vols as a 5-star signee. Ross has a high motor, with an explosive first step off the edge, to go along with great hand usage and physicality. Ross also provides great versatility and size at 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, being able to rotate in different packages as an edge rusher in any scheme.
Jordan Ross, edge rusher from Tennessee. 6-5, 245. Efficient mover who doesn’t waste steps. Possesses an explosive first step and quick to bend, turn the corner. Just an all around fluid pass rusher who also shows the ability to convert speed to power. Could really help Alabama. pic.twitter.com/JHbs0cd0JM
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) January 7, 2026
These traits flashed during his two seasons in Knoxville, with Ross racking up 26 career tackles, including five tackles for loss, to go along with a forced fumble, fumble recovery, pass deflection, and 1.5 sacks. Ross also showed up on special teams, collecting a blocked punt and then turning those efforts into a scoop-and-score touchdown during his time in Knoxville. He now hits the portal as the No.15 overall player at his position this offseason, gauging interest from top schools like Alabama, LSU, and Texas Tech, with three seasons of eligibility remaining under his belt.
Ross's potential addition could be a huge get for Wommack, Roach, and Alabama's defensive front. He fits exactly what Wommack and Roach would be looking for, especially with the Tide having the potential to pair Ross with Yhonzae Pierre and Justin Hill this fall.
Lastly, Ross is an instate kid, whom Alabama originally went after hard in the 2024 recruiting cycle. With that being said, second chances don't come around often. If Wommack and Roach can successfully reel in Ross this time, then that dynamic has the potential to help Alabama restore this offseason.