Just a couple of hours after predictions started to come in that it was going to happen, Alabama landed a commitment from NC State RB Hollywood Smothers out of the Transfer Portal. Smothers arrived in Tuscaloosa for a visit on Sunday, and Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide were able to lock him down.
BREAKING: NC State standout transfer RB Hollywood Smothers has Committed to Alabama, he tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 6, 2026
This season he totaled 1,128 yards and 7 TDs
Smothers, who’s repped by @bnm_nil and @lawyerboycle, is one of the Top Players in the Portalhttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/B2u9chYnCy
Smothers originally planned to visit both Alabama and Florida State, but word leaked on Saturday that the elite transfer RB wouldn't be making the trip to Tallahassee. All signs pointed to him landing in Tuscaloosa if things went well on the visit. And they clearly did.
Alabama lands NC State RB Hollywood Smothers out of the Transfer Portal
Running back was one of the biggest positions of need for the Crimson Tide in this portal cycle. Alabama had its worst rushing yards per game average in program history since that statistic was tracked this season. They haven't really had a legitimate difference-maker at RB since Jahmyr Gibbs. That should change next season.
Smothers was one of the top running backs in the ACC this season. He ran for 939 yards and six touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry for the Wolfpack. He'll provide an instant - and much-needed - lift for the Crimson Tide in the backfield.
Per Saturday Blitz, Smothers was the No. 2-ranked RB in the Transfer Portal.
Alabama had a visit set up with Arizona State's Raleek Brown, but it seems likely that it will be cancelled now that Smothers has announced his commitment.
It will be curious to see if there is any more attrition in the RB room as a result of Smothers' commitment. Alabama is set to return Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, and AK Dear from the 2025 team. Jam Miller and Dre Washington exhausted their eligibility, and Richard Young left via the portal.
Alabama added 5-star EJ Crowell and 3-star Tra'Shawn Brown out of the 2026 high school class.
The addition of Smothers and Crowell will provide a major talent infusion in the backfield in Tuscaloosa next season. The next step is improving up front on the offensive line to give them the room to work.
You can follow all of Alabama's Transfer Portal activity by following this link.