Ohio State's New Transfer Defensive Lineman Holding Teammates Accountable

Matt Patricia praises James Smith's leadership and desire to improve the Buckeyes' defense.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:39pm

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Defensive lineman James Smith, a transfer from Alabama, has already made an impression on Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia with his leadership abilities and willingness to learn. Patricia praised Smith's 'amazing personality' and 'thirst for knowledge,' saying he is 'holding everybody accountable' and bringing the kind of intensity and intentionality the Buckeyes need. Smith, a former five-star recruit, explained that he left Alabama for Ohio State to get a 'fresh start' and found the Buckeyes' program to be more 'stable' and 'intentional' than the Crimson Tide's under new coach Kalen DeBoer.

Why it matters

Ohio State is looking to bounce back after a disappointing season and regain its spot among the nation's elite programs. Smith's leadership and accountability could be a key factor in helping the Buckeyes improve their defense and challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The details

James Smith, a defensive lineman who transferred from Alabama to Ohio State in January, has already made a strong impression on Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Patricia praised Smith's 'amazing personality,' 'thirst for knowledge,' and ability to 'hold everybody accountable.' Smith, a former five-star recruit, said he left Alabama to get a 'fresh start' and found the Buckeyes' program to be more 'stable' and 'intentional' than the Crimson Tide's under new coach Kalen DeBoer.

  • Smith joined the Ohio State Buckeyes from the Alabama Crimson Tide via the transfer portal in January.
  • Smith spoke to reporters after Ohio State's spring practice on Thursday, March 27, 2026.

The players

James Smith

A defensive lineman who transferred from Alabama to Ohio State in January 2026. Smith was a five-star recruit and the No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 28 overall prospect in the class of 2023.

Matt Patricia

The defensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Kalen DeBoer

The new head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

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What they’re saying

“James is amazing, great player, bright, young kid, and he just gravitates to football. I love to teach the game, and he wants to learn. It's not just sitting there and watching tape all day long, sometimes even having football conversations, and when you're around guys like James, who has this amazing personality, you just love him.”

— Matt Patricia, Ohio State Defensive Coordinator

“He wants to be great. He wants to improve. His thirst for knowledge, I love it, it's great. Him coming into the program with that energy and that standard of how he knows things need to be done and holding everybody accountable. I love that leadership that he has about him, too.”

— Matt Patricia, Ohio State Defensive Coordinator

“No, really big reason. I just feel like I needed, just a new start. Nothing against 'Bama, great program. Just needed a fresh start. It kind of gave me, like that feeling back when I visited as a freshman with Saban, it kind of felt like that. Because here, I ain't gonna lie, I came here, they didn't lie to me not one time.”

— James Smith

“I just feel like the intensity is different. I wouldn't even say the intensity, it's just like, everything's so intentional. Everybody's already laid out. They came in with a new coaching staff at 'Bama, so it's like they're all still trying to learn and stuff. Here it's already stable and they already know.”

— James Smith

What’s next

Smith will look to continue making an impact on the Ohio State defense as the Buckeyes prepare for the upcoming season and aim to return to the College Football Playoff.

The takeaway

James Smith's transfer from Alabama to Ohio State has already paid dividends, as the talented defensive lineman is bringing much-needed leadership, accountability, and intensity to the Buckeyes' program as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season.