2026 games, tackles for loss per game. W and L: the team’s results.
4 stories in the last 60 days, from 3 outlets.
Ohio State football DT James Smith exits against Kent State with injury
The Columbus Dispatch +1 Sep 19
James Smith
James Smith arrives at Ohio State with a new fit to prove and an old chapter closed.
5★ · NATIONAL RECRUIT
No.27
recruiting national rank
Ohio State fans can't agree whether the tape backs the reputation.
Minority viewA vocal minority sees it the other way.
AI-generated narrative · may contain errors · not journalism · updated 2026-11-04
Play style
Disrupts the pocket from the interior.
Closest statistical matches, adjusted for opponent strength.
from 3 outlets
Ohio State football DT James Smith exits against Kent State with injury
The Columbus Dispatch +1 Sep 19 · 2 outlets
from 6 outlets
Ohio State football DT James Smith exits against Kent State with injury
The Columbus Dispatch +1 Sep 19 · 2 outlets
Land-Grant Holy Land
247SportsEach week: his team’s game, the stories about him that week, and the week’s biggest news headline.
Stories we tracked, by school.
Ohio State8 stories2026 to nowMost about: in his words, profile and feature.
The Columbus Dispatch +1Ohio State football DT James Smith exits against Kent State with injurySep 19247SportsVideo Interviews: Ohio State DC Matt Patricia, Qua Russaw, James Smith, John WalkerAug 13
Eleven WarriorsThe Buckeye 20: Alabama Transfer Defensive Tackle James Smith Debuts at No. 17Aug 19Land-Grant Holy LandPlayer to Watch: Defensive tackle James Smith looking for fresh start at Ohio State - Land-Grant Holy LandAug 30
Alabama6 stories2023 to 2025Most about: draft stock, profile and feature, starting job and depth chart.
Saturday Down SouthFormer Alabama linemen James Smith, Qua Russaw commit to Big Ten programJan 12
Locked OnDevin Tompkins transforms Alabama’s Defense—Is He a Better Fit Than James Smith?Feb 26Locked OnJames Smith and Devin McCuin immediately impact Ohio State—Is This the New normal?Apr 9Stories are headlines grouped by what they are about, counted through Nov 4.
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
| Season | Team | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Ohio State | 8 | 1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 1 |
| 2025 | Alabama | 26 | 16 | 6.5 | 2.5 | 1 |
| 2024 | Alabama | 20 | 9 | 3.5 | 1.0 | 2 |
| 2023 | Alabama | 2 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -- |
| Career | 56 | 27 | 11.0 | 3.5 | 4 |
Last game (Wk 9): 1 tackle.
Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 6 games
Swipe the table sideways for more columns.
| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 56-3vs Ball State | 2 | 1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 2 tackles |
| Wk 2 | L 23-24@ No. 4 Texas | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 3 | W 59-3vs Kent State | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 4 | W 42-19vs Illinois | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 5 | W 31-14@ No. 14 Iowa | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 1 | |
| Wk 7 | W 19-15@ No. 5 Indiana | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Total | 8 | 1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | — | 1 |
Ratings of the games shown run from -21 to +24 points against an average team (SP+ rating of each opponent).
Splits · Per-game
2026 season · 6 games
Home vs Road
| TKL/g | TFL/g | SACK/g | PD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home3g | 1.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Road3g | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 |
First half vs Second half
| TKL/g | TFL/g | SACK/g | PD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-76g | 1.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 |
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Ryan Day
Pass share
45.0%
250 pass / 306 run
Plays / game
69.5
8 games
Team sack rate
5.8%
275 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-leaning.
Player standing · 2026
Fewer tackles a game than most FBS defensive linemen who play every week.
2026 is in progress.
A blue-chip recruit with honors.
Trophy case · Confirmed honors
What the selectors said
ALL-AAC · 2ND TEAM
All-AAC 2nd team (2020)
Coaching lineage · 2023–2026
3 coachesPlayed for 3 head coaches at 2 schools: Nick Saban, Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Day.
Next stop · Transfer
Transferred to Ohio State
