On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Alabama trending to land Qua Russaw, James Smith

Montgomery (Ala.) Carver five-star teammates James Smith and Qua Russaw have said repeatedly that they want to play college football together at the same school.

With a week until the Early Signing Period, one team is trending to land both and add them to their commit list. After updates around the industry, the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) favors Alabama to land both Russaw and Smith.

On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons placed an expert pick in favor of the Crimson Tide back in September for Russaw, and the updates only furthered Alabama’s RPM lead for him. It now gives Alabama an 87.1 percent chance of securing his commitment.

With Smith, Alabama now holds a 68.6 percent chance of adding him to their class. The duo have visited Tuscaloosa multiple times and been considered slight Alabama leans for much of the past year. Georgia, Auburn, and Florida have been among the other schools they’ve strongly considered.

Smith is the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 2 defensive lineman and the No. 1 senior recruit in Alabama.

Russaw, meanwhile, checks in as the country’s No. 19 recruit, No. 2 linebacker and No. 2 player in the Yellowhammer State.

James Smith and Qua Russaw Scouting Summaries

James Smith: “Possesses 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. Plays with high energy and violent physicality. A dominant player as a freshman and sophomore prior to transferring to IMG Academy. 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.”

Qua Russaw: “Rugged, athletic EDGE defender who plays with high-level play strength and speed in pursuit. Has adequate size at around 6-foot-3, 230 pounds. Highly active as a high school player on a snap to snap basis. Plays with one of the best effort levels that we’ve seen from a defender in the 2023 cycle. Excels as a pursuit defender, using his speed and motor to track down plays sideline to sideline. Very strong with the ability to stack and shed offensive linemen. Also sees some snaps as an off-ball linebacker. Highly productive as a junior with 27.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. Wins primarily due to his athleticism, play strength and effort level. Will need to continue honing his pass rush moves.”