The Texas Longhorns have made quite the splash in the transfer portal this year, bringing in standout talents like Cam Coleman, Hollywood Smothers, Raleek Brown, and Melvin Siani. As the 2026 season unfolds, all eyes are on Austin, where these new additions are expected to make a significant impact.
Raleek Brown, known for his electrifying playmaking ability, is certainly a player to watch. However, it's Hollywood Smothers who is poised to take the lead on early downs for Steve Sarkisian's offense.
Smothers, who transferred from North Carolina State, showcased his skills last season with 939 rushing yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry, and scoring six touchdowns in 11 games. He also proved to be a reliable target in the passing game, with 37 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown, serving as a crucial safety valve for his quarterback.
Smothers' strength lies in his ability to navigate the trenches with patience and vision. His knack for recognizing and exploiting developing lanes makes him a formidable force on inside and split-zone plays. Few runners in college football can match his lane recognition, which sets him apart from his peers.
Now, let's take a look at where Smothers stands among his SEC counterparts:
Early SEC Running Back Rankings for 2026:
- Ahmad Hardy - Missouri
- Jadan Baugh - Florida
- Kewan Lacy - Ole Miss
- Nate Frazier - Georgia
- Hollywood Smothers - Texas
- DeSean Bishop - Tennessee
- Jeremiah Cobb - Auburn
- Rueben Owens II - Texas A&M
- Sedrick Alexander - Vanderbilt
- Sutton Smith - Arkansas
- Ezavier Crowell - Alabama
- Caden Durham - LSU
- Fluff Bothwell - Mississippi State
- C.J.
Baxter - Kentucky 15.
Xavier Robinson - Oklahoma 16.
Matt Fuller - South Carolina
Landing at number five feels just right for Smothers. While Ahmad Hardy, Jadan Baugh, Kewan Lacy, and Nate Frazier lead the pack with their exceptional performances, Smothers is right on their heels, ready to make his mark in the SEC. His proven track record and dynamic play style suggest he's more than capable of climbing even higher in these rankings as the season progresses.