Hollywood Smothers Flips from Alabama to Texas: Why the Longhorns Landed One of the Portal’s Top Backs
Hollywood Smothers had his pick of powerhouse programs after a breakout season at NC State-and for a moment, it looked like Alabama had won the sweepstakes. But the standout running back had a change of heart, and now he’s headed to Austin, where Texas is quietly building one of the most stacked rosters in the country heading into 2026.
Smothers initially committed to the Crimson Tide after entering the transfer portal earlier this month, but never signed. Instead, he’ll suit up in burnt orange next fall, giving the Longhorns a dynamic backfield weapon with game-breaking ability.
In a recent interview, Smothers made it clear: this wasn’t about chasing a paycheck. “NIL didn’t play a big factor for me,” 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.”
That mindset should excite Longhorn fans. Smothers isn’t just bringing production-he’s bringing a championship mentality.
After rushing for 939 yards and six touchdowns during the 2025 season with NC State, he’s proven he can carry the load. But now, he’ll be part of a deeper, more balanced attack.
Texas didn’t just land Smothers-they’ve been aggressive across the board in the portal. Former Arizona State back Raleek Brown joins him in the running back room, giving the Longhorns a two-headed monster with speed, elusiveness, and experience. That duo alone could keep defensive coordinators up at night.
But the Longhorns didn’t stop there. They added former Auburn wideout Cam Coleman, a big-play threat on the outside, and ex-Pitt linebacker Rasheem Biles, who brings toughness and sideline-to-sideline range on defense. The message is clear: Texas is going all-in for 2026.
Meanwhile, Alabama still has plenty of depth at running back. Returners like Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, and AK Dear are expected to carry the load, while Jam Miller has declared for the NFL Draft. The Tide will be fine-but losing Smothers is a notable miss, especially considering his potential to be a difference-maker right away.
For Texas, though, this is a major win. Smothers isn’t just another transfer-he’s a proven weapon choosing to bet on a program that’s pushing all its chips to the center of the table. If he’s right about the Longhorns’ chances to “win it all,” this move could be a turning point in Texas’ return to national prominence.