The NFL released its highly anticipated list of invitees to the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, spotlighting 329 of the nation’s top prospects.
Among them is Tim Smith, a standout defensive lineman from the University of Alabama and a 2020 graduate of Sebastian River High School (SRHS) in Sebastian, Florida. From a small-town five-star recruit to a veteran of the Crimson Tide, Smith has now earned him a ticket to Indianapolis, where he’ll showcase his skills from February 24 through March 3.
Smith’s football story began at SRHS, where he dominated as a senior in 2019. That year, he racked up 98 tackles and 14 sacks, becoming one of the top high school prospects in the country.
A five-star recruit, Smith had his pick of elite programs but ultimately chose to take his talents to Tuscaloosa, committing to Alabama over a flurry of suitors. It’s a decision that paid off.
With multiple seasons with the Crimson Tide (2020-2024), Smith evolved into a cornerstone of the team’s defensive line. Appearing in 64 games with 32 starts, he tallied 125 tackles and 6.5 sacks across his college career.
But it was his 2024 campaign that turned heads and punched his ticket to the Combine. Starting all 13 games, Smith notched 35 tackles, including 3.5 for loss (-10 yards) and two sacks (-9 yards), adding five quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup.
His steady presence up front earned him a spot on the Outland Trophy Watch List, recognizing the nation’s top interior linemen, and a nod as a defensive “power” player of the week from Alabama coaches after a gritty performance against South Carolina.
Smith’s 2024 highlight reel tells the story of a player who thrives in big moments. Against USF, he erupted for five tackles, half a tackle for loss, and two quarterback hurries. In a top-five clash with Georgia, he chipped in a tackle and another hurry.
Perhaps his most memorable moment came against LSU, where he recovered a crucial fumble late in the second quarter, halting a Tigers scoring drive and setting up an Alabama touchdown before halftime. And in the postseason, facing Michigan in a bowl matchup, Smith delivered a standout showing with seven tackles, two for loss, and a sack.
That consistency carried over to the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, earlier this year. Playing for the victorious American squad, Smith logged two tackles, including a shared tackle for loss on a critical fourth-down stop against Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon. It was another moment for a player who’s proven he can hang with the best.
At SRHS, Smith’s senior-year dominance wasn’t just numbers—it was a preview of the relentless motor and physicality that would define his time at Alabama.
As he prepares to take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium, NFL scouts will get a firsthand look at a 6.5-sack college career paired with the intangibles that don’t show up on stat sheets: leadership, toughness, and a knack for disrupting plays.
After declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft following the 2024 season, Tim Smith is ready to prove he belongs among the pros. For Alabama fans and SRHS faithful alike, it’s a moment to celebrate—one of their own chasing the dream on football’s biggest stage.
