{"id":670179,"date":"2026-01-12T01:20:14","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T01:20:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/670179\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T01:20:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T01:20:14","slug":"nc-state-transfer-alabama-rb-commit-hollywood-smothers-flips-to-texas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/670179\/","title":{"rendered":"NC State transfer, Alabama RB commit Hollywood Smothers flips to Texas"},"content":{"rendered":"

NC State<\/a> transfer running back Hollywood Smothers<\/a> has flipped his commitment to Texas<\/a>, according to On3\u2019s Hayes Fawcett<\/a>. He was previously committed to Alabama<\/a> out of the transfer portal.<\/p>\n

Smothers announced his commitment to Alabama Jan. 5 as the Crimson Tide look to bolster their running back room. He\u2019s coming off a strong season at NC State as a redshirt sophomore. Across 11 games, he totaled 939 rushing yards and six touchdowns while adding 37 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown in the passing game.<\/p>\n

A former\u00a0Oklahoma<\/a>\u00a0transfer, Smothers is currently the No. 27 overall player in the\u00a0On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings<\/a>. He also checks in as the No. 2-ranked running back to hit the open market so far this cycle.<\/p>\n

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3\u2019s Transfer Portal\u00a0wire<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The\u00a0On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0X account<\/a>\u00a0are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.<\/p>\n

Hollywood Smothers arrived at OU as a three-star prospect out of Charlotte (N.C.)\u00a0West Charlotte<\/a>. He was the No. 356 overall player from the 2023 cycle, according to the\u00a0Rivals Industry Ranking<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Texas is preparing for a major overhaul of its running back room this offseason after Tre Wisner<\/a> and CJ Baxter<\/a> both entered the portal. Wisner was the Longhorns\u2019 leading rusher this year with 597 yards across nine games while Baxter had 196 rush yards across eight appearances.<\/p>\n

Smothers joins former Arizona State<\/a> running back Raleek Brown<\/a> as new additions for Texas. Brown had a huge 2025 season with the Sun Devils, rushing for 1,141 yards and four touchdowns. He began his college career at USC<\/a> before spending two years with Arizona State.<\/p>\n

Texas also has a blue-chip recruit coming in at running back in four-star Derrek Cooper<\/a>. Steve Sarkisian<\/a> previously told reporters he could be a contributor in 2026 as the Longhorns look to build on a 10-win season.<\/p>\n

The Longhorns went 9-3 during the regular season, including a rivalry victory over Texas A&M<\/a>, and just missed out on the College Football Playoff. Arch Manning<\/a> continued to improve as the year went along, and he led the charge in a Citrus Bowl victory over Michigan<\/a> to close out the year. Manning is also due back for Texas.<\/p>\n