In a dramatic turn of events, Alabama’s football program is dealing with a big setback after the sudden departure of Hollywood Smothers. He’d initially committed to the Crimson Tide, but now he’s pledged his future to the Texas Longhorns.
This move has left Alabama scrambling to fill a crucial gap in their running back position. The whole situation just shows how unpredictable college football recruiting has become in the NIL and transfer era.
The Hollywood Smothers Saga: From Crimson Tide to Longhorns
Smothers’ commitment to Alabama was celebrated as a major win for the program. He’s an explosive runner with impressive stats and a promising highlight reel—people really thought he’d be a game-changer for the Crimson Tide.
But that excitement faded fast. Smothers left Tuscaloosa without signing, then visited Austin and committed to the Texas Longhorns instead. Suddenly, Alabama’s left with a significant void to fill.
Impact on Alabama’s Running Game
Smothers leaving is a real blow to Alabama’s running game, which already struggled last season. The numbers are pretty telling: Alabama’s running backs managed just eight rushes of 20-plus yards, while Smothers had nine by himself.
He could make defenders miss and outrun them in the open field—exactly what Alabama needed. Now, they have to look at their existing roster and maybe new recruits to fill that gap.
The current options include:
- Daniel Hill: Big, strong, and physical. Still, there are questions about his explosiveness as an every-down back.
- Kevin Riley: Shifty and good at catching passes out of the backfield. He might be more of a third-down, change-of-pace guy, though.
- AK Dear: Honestly, not much is known—he only had 19 carries last season.
- EJ Crowell: Five-star recruit with huge potential. But can you really expect a true freshman to carry the load right away?
Lessons from the NIL and Transfer Era
Smothers’ decision to switch commitments really underlines how unpredictable recruiting is now. The whole “soft commit” thing is everywhere—players say they’re in, but until they sign, who knows?
Notable Examples
He’s not the only one. Former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, for example, committed to transferring to Baylor, but now he’s reportedly looking at other schools too.
This kind of fluidity makes it tough for programs. They have to stay flexible and keep scouting, even after a player says they’re coming.
Alabama’s Next Steps
With Smothers gone, Alabama needs to move quickly to find another running back. Raleek Brown is one intriguing possibility—the talented Arizona State transfer who recently committed to Texas.
Given that Texas just landed Smothers, maybe Brown would consider a change of plans. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Potential Recruits
Alabama is also reportedly in touch with a Big Ten transfer who ran for over 500 yards and started seven games last season. That kind of experience could really help right now.
The transfer portal’s closing soon, so Alabama doesn’t have much time to figure this out. It’s going to be interesting to see what they do next.
Conclusion
The departure of Hollywood Smothers really shows just how unpredictable college football recruitment has gotten in the age of NIL and constant transfers. Alabama’s got to figure out how to handle it—quick thinking, a little creativity, and maybe even some luck are all on the table if they want to keep their running game strong.
If you’re hungry for more details or want to keep tabs on this story as it unfolds, check out the full article on 247Sports.
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