Tim Smith, an Alabama signee in the 2020 recruiting class, has earned his fifth star according to the latest 247Sports rankings, which were revealed on Tuesday.
It’s an impressive rise for the Sebastian (Fla.) defensive tackle. Coming into Tuesday, Smith had been rated as a four-star and the No. 82 overall player, so moving all the way up to No. 28 overall is quite the jump.
No. 28 in the Top247: Alabama DT signee Tim Smith https://t.co/gDX9OCVxiZ pic.twitter.com/ivwoD6DQlk
— 247Sports (@247Sports) January 28, 2020
It’s not surprising, however.
Smith brings size (6-foot-4, 320 pounds), strength and burst that should help him see the field early in his college career.
He also has the versatility to play anywhere along Alabama’s defensive front, whether that’s as a zero-technique nose tackle or 5-technique defensive end.
The defensive front did lose Raekwon Davis, an interior defensive lineman, and two edge players in Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings. And while Smith probably won’t see many — if any — reps in space, he’s an athletic guy who can help immediately.
The Crimson Tide’s defensive line should much improved in 2020. It not only returns LaBryan Ray from injury, but there were also a lot of freshman, such as DJ Dale, Byron Young and Justin Eboigbe, to earn valuable experience in 2019.
Smith will be a much-needed presence, however. Whether that’s as a rotational depth player or maybe even more.
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