Alabama football lands USC DL transfer Devan Thompkins: What to know
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Alabama football has officially started to build its defensive line.
With a mass exodus up front after the 2025 season, the Crimson Tide added USC defensive tackle transfer Devan Thompkins as the program’s fifth transfer, joining former Oklahoma State tight end Josh Ford, former NC State running back Hollywood Smothers, former Virginia Tech linebacker Caleb Woodson and former Michigan offensive lineman Kaden Strayhorn.
Thompkins confirmed news of the transfer to Alabama on social media after a visit Tuesday, Jan. 6.
Devan Thompkins stats
In the past two years, Thompkins emerged as a key contributor to the middle of USC’s defensive line.
After playing 16 snaps across his first two seasons with the Trojans, the former three-star out of Stockton, California has combined for 55 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks. He’s added five pass deflections and a forced fumble.
The 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive tackle had two of his three 2025 sacks in the Trojans’ 31-13 win against Michigan, weeks after matching a career high with six tackles against Michigan State.
Devan Thompkins eligibility: How many years does Alabama get?
Thompkins is going into his final season of collegiate eligibility as he transfers to Alabama.
How Devan Thompkins fits with Alabama football
Alabama could be looking to fill both of its defensive line positions ahead of 2026 with Tim Keenan III off to pursue the NFL and James Smith’s entrance into the NCAA transfer portal.
With expected returners like Edric Hill, Isaia Faga and former three-star freshman London Simmons, who played the fourth-most snaps of any interior defensive lineman on the Alabama roster in 2025, Thompkins should slide right into a starting position as the most experience interior option on the roster.
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: USC DL Devan Thompkins transfers to Alabama football
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