Nakos posted an article with some insight about Smothers flipping from Bama to Texas For Hollywood Smothers, the decision to flip from Alabama to Texas during his transfer process was about what came next. In an interview with On3, he pointed to the NFL and a chance at a national title as reasons for choosing Texas. With quarterback Arch Manning returning and Steve Sarkisian’s offensive system, he felt he could step in and make an immediate impact. “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,” Smothers said. The running back initially committed to Alabama on Jan. 5, but took a visit to Texas shortly after and flipped his commitment on Jan. 11. Bryan Miller of The Familie represents Smothers. Knowing that the Longhorns were positioned to make a run at the CFP in 2026 played a heavy factor, Smothers told On3. “Returning the potential No. 1 overall pick at QB, and Alabama was losing their starter to the draft and a lot of pieces to the NFL or portal in the wide receiver room,” Smother said. “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. “What separated things for me was Texas’ emphasis on going to win it all. Feeling like they shouldn’t have been counted out last year in the playoffs.” The nickname “Hollywood” was born for his knack for making highlight-reel plays dating back to his freshman year of high school. He’s lived up to the name through his college career. A former Oklahoma transfer, he’s rushed for 1,552 career yards with an average of six yards per carry. He’s also been used as an option in the passing game, with 57 catches for 453 yards. Smothers has totaled 15 touchdowns to this point in his career. Sarkisian’s pitch of how he would be used in the Texas offense stood out when he visited Austin, and it ultimately led to the decision to flip from Alabama to the Longhorns. “There are plenty of ways coach Sark can get me involved with the football,” Smothers said. “You see, the past three to four years, what he has done with his running backs. Five of them were drafted. How he uses them out in space, along with all of the talent at receiver. It’s going to be hard for teams to stack the box, especially when you have Arch Manning.” Working with Miller through the transfer process, Smothers did not shy away from joining a roster with other talent in the running back room. The agent helped guide KC Concepcion to Texas A&M last offseason. Texas had already added Arizona State transfer Raleek Brown when the NC State transfer committed. The pairing with Brown was attractive to Smothers, who knew splitting reps was going to be necessary to play a nine-game SEC schedule. Brown rushed for 1,141 this past season, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. “Playing ball in the SEC, you are going to need a good punch in the backfield,” Smothers said. “Raleek and I are both electric and explosive with the ball in our hands; we’ll feed off each other.” Hollywood Smothers believes Texas can have one of the top offenses in the nation in 2026, with Manning and wide receiver Ryan Wingo returning, along with the addition of Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman. Putting himself in a position to boost his NFL draft stock and play deep into the CFP outweighed financial opportunities. “NIL didn’t play a big factor for me, no matter how much the internet factors it,” the running back 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.”