Alabama adds MSU OL Jayvin James via transfer portal: What it means

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Alabama adds MSU OL Jayvin James via transfer portal: What it means

After adding multiple offensive linemen with multiple years of eligibility and limited experience, Alabama football added a player who could be a plug-and-play starter in 2026.

Jayvin James, who started primarily at left tackle for Mississippi State in 2025, confirmed on social media that he would transfer to Alabama with two seasons remaining of eligibility.

James is the sixth offensive lineman to join the Crimson Tide in 2026 via the transfer portal along with Nick Brooks,Ethan Fields, Ty Haywood, Kaden Strayhorn and Racin Delgatty.

James is the second Mississippi State transfer to choose Alabama, joining former Bulldogs defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones.

Jayvin James stats

Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs offensive linemen Zack Owens (52) and Jayvin Q. James (77) wait for the snap during the first quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

A former three-star tackle out of Pompano Beach, Florida, James played two seasons at Akron and became the Zips starting right tackle in 2024, allowing 11 pressures and four sacks in 498 snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

The 6-foot-5, 320-pound tackle transferred to Mississippi State ahead of the 2025 season where he played 691 snaps at left tackle and 162 snaps at right tackle. He allowed 25 pressures and gave up three sacks.

James was the No. 2,120 player and the No. 164 tackle in the 2023 recruiting class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Jayvin James eligibility for Alabama football

James has two seasons of eligibility remaining as he transfers to Alabama.

What Jayvin James means for Alabama football

Alabama has a tackle with starting experience.

With Michael Carroll as the only returning starter from 2025, Alabama built its offensive line room with a youthful focus, one where potential overrode production. Players like Haywood and Strayhorn did not play much as true freshman at Michigan, but bring in four years of eligibility. Brooks has three years of eligibility remaining after one season at Texas.

Like Delgatty at center, James gives Alabama starting experience with multiple seasons of eligibility to use, which is huge for a room undergoing a significant rebuild.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: What MSU OL transfer Jayvin James brings to Alabama football

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