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The Texas football team picked up a huge addition at a position of need in transfer ball carrier Hollywood Smothers. The tailback had previously been committed to Alabama before flipping to the Longhorns.
He recently broke down that change of heart to clarify any false narratives. He slighted the Crimson Tide’s roster in the process.
Who is Hollywood Smothers?
The running back hails from Charlotte, North Carolina where he played high school football at West Charlotte High. He signed with the Oklahoma Sooners as a three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting cycle.
That marriage lasted just one season in which he played four games. He entered the transfer portal after his freshman season.
Smothers was able to utilize his redshirt to preserve his four years of eligibility. He moved closer to home to play for NC State.
With the Wolfpack, the running back shined. In Year 1, he totaled 834 yards of total offense and eight scores. That production continued into his second season where he notched an 1,100-yard campaign.
Smothers is a big-play threat. He averaged nearly 6.5 yards per touch across the last two years.
He’ll now take that production to Austin, but not after some drama.
Smothers initially committed to Alabama.
The tailback chose the Crimson Tide soon after his transfer portal entry following a visit to campus. There were rumors that he’d enrolled at the school for spring semester, though they’ve yet to be substantiated.
Despite being seemingly locked in with the program, he scheduled a surprise visit to Texas before the close of the January transfer window.
Soon thereafter, he made the flip.
Hollywood Smothers fills a void for the Longhorns who lost a number of running backs in the portal. NIL rumors immediately surfaced. Those close to the Alabama program suggested the Crimson Tide were outbid.
The truth regarding Hollywood Smothers is that whoever allowed him to leave campus without signing a formal NIL contract and only a “verbal” commitment made a HUGE mistake. No way to sugarcoat it. Very uncharacteristic of Alabama, tbh. This staff has some serious ground to cover.
-Former Alabama LB Christian Miller
Smothers refuted that narrative. He says Texas’s emphasis on winning big was the reason for the switch. He opened up on his recruitment during a recent sit-down with On3.
“At this point in my career, I wanted to put myself in the best position to make it to the NFL and to go win a championship,” the tailback said.
“Returning the potential No. 1 overall pick at QB, and Alabama was losing their starter to the draft and a lot of pieces to the NFL or portal in the wide receiver room. Texas just seemed like they had players in place to go on a run…
“What separated things for me was Texas’ emphasis on going to win it all.”
Smothers noted the return of Arch Manning. He also sees the offensive talent coming in through the transfer portal, headlined by five-star receiver Cam Coleman.
While hyping the Longhorns 2026 roster, he slighted Alabama. He does not believe the Crimson Tide has what it takes to make a national title run.
Too much is leaving. There is uncertainty at key positions. Smothers prefers Steve Sarkisian to Kalen DeBoer.
The ball carrier was thinking about his own future in the decision to flip. He says it wasn’t money motivated. Alabama may continue to believe another narrative. Either way, they’ve lost out on a talented tailback.