Notre Dame signs Alabama Grad Transfer DB DeVonta Smith

It looks like Notre Dame is on the board with Transfer Portal recruiting as ON3’s Pete Nakos has reported that former Alabama defensive back DeVonta Smith has signed with the Fighting Irish.

A separate source also confirmed to ISD that Smith has signed with Notre Dame.

Smith, a graduate transfer, was a priority recruit to Notre Dame in the 2021 recruiting class before signing with Alabama.

The 6-foot, 205-pounder is expected to play nickel and has tallied 34 tackles, five passes defensed and one forced fumble over the past two seasons with the Crimson Tide.

In 2024, Smith played 412 snaps and finished with a PF grade of 71.5, which was the ninth highest on the Alabama defense of those who played over 200 snaps. Of those 421 snaps, 340 were played in nickel.

Notre Dame has often gone to the portal for the nickel position and had great success as Thomas Harper and Jordan Clark have been significant successes the past two seasons.

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