Hollywood Smothers reveals why he left Alabama for Texas

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

A few weeks back, Alabama got a harsh dose of reality when it comes to college football in 2026. After receiving a commitment from NC State running back Hollywood Smothers to join the Crimson Tide, he would ghost the Crimson Tide just a few days later for Steve Sarkisian and Texas.

Many speculated around the time of Smothers’ decision to become a Longhorn was related to the robust NIL support Texas has from its collective and booster base which is amongst the top in the country. Although Alabama has made strides in the area, the reality is it will never be able to compete with the funds that Texas possesses.

But following the speculation, Smothers got the opportunity to open up about the situation during an interview with On3. According to Smothers himself, NIL was not the main factor to join Texas.

“NIL didn’t play a big factor for me, no matter how much the internet factors it,” Smothers 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.”

Smothers reiterated that at the root of it, the Longhorns offered the best opportunity to win a national title due to the losses Alabama suffered on its roster.

“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. “Returning to 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. Texas just seemed like that players in place to go on a run.”

The effort to build a championship roster this offseason has been an obvious mandate from Texas who also signed former Auburn star receiver and Alabama native Cam Coleman.

Smothers’ evaluation of Alabama’s roster also isn’t completely inaccurate. Despite bringing in a talented recruiting class, the Crimson Tide lost significant contributors to both the NFL Draft and the transfer portal.

A total of 22 players departed for the transfer portal including Qua Russaw, Isaiah Horton, James Smith, Keon Keeley, and Wilkin Formby to name a few.

Even if Smothers believed that Texas was truly set up better compete than Alabama, the defining factor, or error, in the process was portal malpractice. When Smothers committed to Alabama, he was allowed by the staff to leave campus that day without signing an offer letter.

That won’t fly today just like it wouldn’t have 20 years ago.

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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77