When Alabama’s season ended, it wasn’t just the loss on the field that stung - it was what came after. The Crimson Tide, already navigating the turbulence of a changing roster, took a major hit when one of their top transfer additions, running back Hollywood Smothers, reversed course and headed for Texas - after enrolling in classes in Tuscaloosa.
Yes, you read that right. Smothers had signed on, moved in, and started classes at Alabama. Then, just a week later, he was gone.
Smothers recently opened up about the decision, explaining why he made the late switch. “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,” he said.
It’s a bold move, no question. But it’s also the reality of modern college football, where the transfer portal has become as critical as recruiting high school talent. Players are chasing opportunity, development, and, yes, wins - and Smothers felt Texas checked more of those boxes.
He spent two seasons at NC State, where the Wolfpack went a combined 14-12. Respectable, but not exactly the launching pad for a pro career.
Texas, on the other hand, is trending upward. The Longhorns may have missed the College Football Playoff this past season, but they’ve built a roster that’s as deep and talented as any in the country.
And they didn’t just land Smothers. Texas also pulled in wide receiver Cam Coleman and running back Raleek Brown - both from Alabama - in what’s quickly become one of the more aggressive portal pushes of the offseason.
Smothers pointed to the presence of quarterback Arch Manning - the potential No. 1 overall pick - as a key factor in his decision. “Texas just seemed like they had players in place to go on a run, and an offensive-minded coach who knows how to scheme his weapons open in the run and pass game,” Smothers said, referencing head coach Steve Sarkisian’s reputation for building explosive offenses.
Of course, the timing of Smothers’ departure raised eyebrows. He had already committed, enrolled, and started classes at Alabama. Then came the flip to Texas - sparking speculation that a big NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal may have played a role.
But Smothers pushed back on that narrative. “NIL didn’t play a big factor for me, no matter how much the internet factors it,” he said. “I honestly just want to win, and I feel like we are in the best position to go win it all with the talent and depth at Texas.”
Whether NIL was a factor or not, the move underscores how fluid - and unpredictable - the portal era has become. One week you’re a key piece of Alabama’s future backfield, the next you’re wearing burnt orange in Austin.
Now the question becomes: how will Texas manage its suddenly loaded running back room? Smothers joins a group that already includes Raleek Brown and top recruit Derrek Cooper. That’s a lot of mouths to feed, and while Smothers has the talent to be the feature back, nothing is guaranteed in a room that deep.
As for Alabama, the loss hurts - no sugarcoating it. Smothers was expected to be a big piece of the puzzle, especially with so much turnover on offense.
But the Tide aren’t exactly empty-handed. Daniel Hill will get his shot to claim the starting job, while redshirt freshman AK Dear and true freshman Ezavier Crowell are also expected to be in the mix.
The backfield in Tuscaloosa may look different than expected, but this is Alabama - talent isn’t the issue, it's about how quickly that talent develops. For now, though, the Tide are left wondering what could’ve been, while Smothers sets his sights on a championship run in Texas.