Alabama football landed a commitment from NC State’s Hollywood Smothers on Jan. 5, one of the best running backs available in the transfer portal. He announced the move on social media.
Smothers, a two-year starter for the Wolfpack, rushed for 939 yards with six touchdowns on 160 carries this season, and also caught 37 passes for 189 yards and another score. He joins a running back room that desperately needs playmakers, as Alabama averaged 3.4 yards per carry as a team in 2025.
Smothers started his career at Oklahoma, where he played sparingly as a true freshman in 2023. He was a four-star recruit tabbed as the No. 26 running back nationally out of high school, according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings.
Smothers chose Oklahoma over Florida State and NC State out of high school, although he also held an offer from Alabama. The Crimson Tide ended up with Justice Haynes and Richard Young in 2023, both of whom have since left or entered the transfer portal.
Smothers projects as Alabama’s starting running back in 2026, after the Crimson Tide lost leading rusher Jam Miller, who declared for the NFL draft on Jan 5. Alabama also returns true freshman Daniel Hill, who rushed for 284 yards and a team-leading six rushing touchdowns.
Smothers is Alabama’s second transfer portal commit of its 2026 class, joining former Oklahoma State tight end Josh Ford.