Alabama's LT Overton Overcomes Early Challenges to Become NFL Draft Prospect

The former top recruit moved up a class to enroll early at Texas A&M, then transferred to Alabama where he blossomed into a top pass rusher.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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LT Overton's path to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine and Draft has been unique. The former top-ranked recruit in the class of 2023 enrolled early at Texas A&M in 2022 at just 17 years old, starting as a freshman but facing challenges adjusting to college life and competition. He later transferred to Alabama, where he flourished over the next two seasons and is now considered a potential top-100 draft pick.

Why it matters

Overton's story highlights the challenges young, highly-touted prospects can face when they enroll in college early. His ability to overcome those early struggles and develop into an elite pass rusher at Alabama has boosted his NFL draft stock and shows the value of perseverance and adaptability for top prospects.

The details

Overton finished his freshman season at Texas A&M with 31 total tackles and a sack, but said he "didn't know anything" about being a college player at 17 years old. After transferring to Alabama, he became a much more productive player, with his time and coaching with the Crimson Tide a key reason for his current draft status as a potential top-100 pick.

  • Overton enrolled early at Texas A&M in 2022 at age 17.
  • He started as a freshman for the Aggies in 2022.
  • Overton transferred to Alabama in 2024 and played there for two seasons.

The players

LT Overton

A former top-ranked recruit in the class of 2023 who enrolled early at Texas A&M in 2022 at age 17, then transferred to Alabama where he blossomed into a top pass rusher and NFL draft prospect.

Texas A&M

The university where Overton started his college career in 2022 after enrolling early.

Alabama

The university Overton transferred to in 2024, where he spent the last two seasons of his college career and developed into an elite pass rusher.

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What they’re saying

“Not at all I thought I was gonna end up having a red shirt my freshman year, coming in at 17, such a young age. But ended up starting and from there I knew what type of path I wanted to have at each college.”

— LT Overton

“Once I hit the transfer portal, all I was looking for was opportunity (to) play, get on the field. Took me half a year start, but there's nowhere to complain. Alabama has really opened my eyes to the standard of football, college football, and just being able to play there, it's non-stop competition.”

— LT Overton

What’s next

Overton will look to impress NFL scouts at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in the coming months as he aims to be selected in the top 100 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The takeaway

Overton's unique journey from 17-year-old starter to top NFL draft prospect shows the value of perseverance and adaptability for young, highly-touted recruits. His ability to overcome early challenges and develop into an elite player at Alabama has boosted his draft stock and serves as an inspiring story for other young prospects.