Alabama football has another pass rusher for the 2026 season.
Alabama football has another pass rusher for the 2026 season.
Former South Carolina defensive end Desmond Umeozulu announced he would join the Crimson Tide for his final season of eligibility, per multiple reports. Umeozulu is one of a handful of additions to the Alabama defensive line through the transfer portal along with USC transfer Devan Thompkins, Oregon transfer Terrance Green, Washington transfer Caleb Smith and Mississippi State transfer Kedrick Bingley-Jones.
Desmond Umeozulu stats
A former four-star edge out of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Umeozulu recorded 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks along with six quarterback hurries across three seasons for the Gamecocks.
Working as the primary backup to star pass rusher Dylan Stewart, Umeozulu played a career high 329 snaps for South Carolina in 2025, recording 19 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack.
Umeozulu stands at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds.
Desmond Umeozulu eligibility for Alabama football
Umeozulu has one season of eligibility remaining after playing in 36 of 37 games across his first three seasons.
What Desmond Umeozulu brings to Alabama football
Umeozulu gives Alabama its true answer for the loss of LT Overton out wide.
Umeozulu is a true defensive end, one who is long and lengthy and build like a high-profile pass rusher. Backing up Stewart for the Gamecocks, Umeozulu showed power off the edge, power Alabama saw in its win against South Carolina when Umeozulu had two pressures in 23 snaps.
Umeozulu gives Alabama an answer out wide as it continues to develop players like Smith, the Washington transfer who did not appear in a game as a true freshman and transferred to the Crimson Tide with four seasons of eligibility.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: South Carolina DE Desmond Umeozulu transfers to Alabama football
Category: General Sports
