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Rivals · 2023 Class · DL · James Smith
Alabama
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James Smith

JamesSmith

Montgomery, ALCarver
Jersey
#3
Pos
DL
HT / WT
6-3 / 295
Class
JR
Rivals
6
NATL
#56
POS
#4
ST
#8
On3
98
NATL
#10
POS
#1
ST
#1
ESPN
89
NATL
#25
POS
#3
ST
#3
247
97
NATL
#41
POS
#5
ST
#3
The Journey
Class of 2023
Alabama Crimson Tide
ENROLLED
Carver Wolverines
Carver Wolverines
2020 – 2022
HIGH SCHOOL
IMG Academy Ascenders
HIGH SCHOOL

Film

HIGHLIGHTS · ANALYSIS · COMMIT FILM
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Reminds Us Of

Marcell Dareus
Marcell Dareus
DL / 6-3 / 331
AlabamaAlabama · HS Class of 2008
Buffalo2011 Draft · Rnd 1 · Pick 3

James Smith's quick first step, length and strong punch remind us of fellow Alabama native, Marcell Dareus. Like Dareus, Smith is a highly disruptive defensive lineman at the prep level. Smith is a bit heavier than Dareus at the same stage, but Dareus added considerable mass in college and the NFL.

Team Predictions

Industry Consensus · RPM Picks
Team
Prediction
Recruited By
Distance
Class Rank
Draft Pos (5yr)
Draft Total (5yr)
Ohio State
ENROLLED1/12/2026
N/A
563 mi
4
7
42
Alabama
ENROLLED
91.9%
92 mi
1
8
48
Auburn
OFFERED
3.2%
48 mi
17
3
21
Florida
OFFERED
2.3%
304 mi
13
2
28
Georgia
OFFERED
1.4%
205 mi
2
3
44
Ohio State
Ohio StateENROLLED
N/A
Alabama
AlabamaENROLLED
Charles Kelly
91.9%
Auburn
AuburnOFFERED
Zac Etheridge
3.2%
Florida
FloridaOFFERED
2.3%
Georgia
GeorgiaOFFERED
Tray Scott
1.4%

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Official & Unofficial · 27 total
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Scouting Report

3 Reports
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James Smith Scouting Summary
Charles Power
11/09/21

Possesses arguably the best combination of first-step quickness and power among interior defensive line prospects in the 2023 cycle. Extremely quick off the ball, often beating opposing offensive linemen out of their stance. Follows up his first step with considerable upper body and hand strength. Stuns offensive linemen with his punch and gets off of blocks at a high rate. Has a wide-hipped frame without much bad weight. Trimmed down to around 295 pounds prior to his senior year. Plays with high energy and violent physicality. A dominant player as a freshman and sophomore prior to transferring to IMG Academy as a junior. Returned home to Montgomery Carver as a senior and turned in a strong final campaign. Lined up all over the defensive front, showing the ability to disrupt from multiple spots. Finishes plays behind the line of scrimmage with authority. Is able to yank down ball carriers with one hand. Also shows advanced pass rush ability for an interior defensive lineman.

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Measurements & Testing

James SmithCarver
Top 300 DL AvgAvg. Last 3 Years
NFL Combine DraftedAvg. Last 3 Years
Weight
295
276
300
106.9%98.3%
Height
6-3
6-4
6-3
98.7%100.0%
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Photos

Gallery · 12 Images

Personal Life

James Smith is back in Alabama after transferring from G.W. Carver High School in Montgomery, Ala., to IMG Academy. At the time, Smith said "business- and experience-wise," the move made sense for him. However, he returned back to Alabama and is now one of the top overall prospects in the state. Smith plans on majoring in engineering in college. He lists basketball as his hobby. His father, Charles, is a firefighter. His mother, Malecia Smith, works as a beautician. Smith’s sibling is Jaylen.

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