One thing has been abundantly clear for Alabama this season: the Crimson Tide needs an influx of talent at the RB position. While the offensive line certainly deserves a large chunk of the blame, Alabama's running backs simply weren't good enough this year.
Alabama hasn't had a real difference-maker at RB since Jahmyr Gibbs left for the NFL. That could be on the verge of changing in 2026.
Along with landing one of the top RBs in the country in the 2026 high school recruiting class (5-star EJ Crowell), Kalen DeBoer and company seem serious about adding an established veteran at the position in the Transfer Portal.
A top target appears to be NC State transfer Hollywood Smothers, who, according to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, is planning an upcoming visit to Tuscaloosa.
Coveted NC State running back transfer Hollywood Smothers has visits planned to Alabama and Florida State, his agent @bnm_nil tells @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 2, 2026
Smothers led the ACC this season with an average of 85 rushing yards per game. Ranks as one of the top running backs in the portal. pic.twitter.com/Di4WfIwgug
Alabama is targeting NC State RB Hollywood Smothers in the Transfer Portal
Alabama has some talent in the RB room, no doubt, but there's nobody currently on campus who has the collegiate pedigree that Smothers has. The redshirt sophomore rushed for 939 yards and six touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry for the Wolfpack this season. That followed up an impressive redshirt freshman campaign where Smothers produced 571 yards on 6.4 yards per attempt.
Saturday Blitz ranks Smothers as the No. 2 RB in the Transfer Portal.
In terms of sheer numbers, the Crimson Tide will need to add at least one RB in the portal this offseason. Jam Miller and Dre Washington are out of eligibility, and earlier on Friday, redshirt sophomore Richard Young announced his intention to enter the portal.
Alabama added two running backs in the high school recruiting class: the 5-star Crowell, while taking a flier on 3-star Texas native Trae'shawn Brown in the 11th hour of the early signing period.
As things stand, Alabama is slated to return redshirt freshmen Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley, along with true freshman AK Dear. Adding Crowell and Brown gives the Crimson Tide five running backs projected on next season's roster, but further portal attrition is certainly a possibility.
Smothers has the ability to be an upgrade over what Alabama has had the last two seasons, but an improved running back room won't make a big difference unless the Crimson Tide can take a major step forward on the offensive line.
You can keep up with all of Alabama's Transfer Portal activity by following this link.