Image Source: Nick Bromberg
Key Takeaways
- Hollywood Smothers, a running back from NC State, is transferring to the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide
- Smothers has averaged six yards a carry across his NC State career, with 939 yards and six touchdowns in 2025
- Alabama’s run game has struggled, ranking 123rd out of 134 teams in rushing yards per game in 2025
- The Crimson Tide has also committed to five-star running back Ezavier Crowell, the No. 18 prospect in the country
Introduction to Hollywood Smothers
Hollywood Smothers, a skilled running back from NC State, is making a significant move to the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide, according to multiple reports. As noted in the reports, "Smothers rushed 160 times for 939 yards and six touchdowns" across 11 games in 2025, showcasing his impressive abilities on the field. With an average of just under six yards a carry, Smothers has consistently demonstrated his potential to be a game-changer in the world of college football.
Smothers’ Career Highlights
As a redshirt freshman in 2024, Smothers rushed for 571 yards on just 89 carries, with six touchdowns, and has since maintained an average of six yards a carry across his NC State career. Additionally, he has 57 career catches for 453 yards and three touchdowns, making him a versatile player with a strong track record. Smothers’ transfer to Alabama marks the second transfer of his career, having previously appeared in four games as a freshman at Oklahoma in 2023. As the article states, "Smothers has averaged six yards a carry across his NC State career," highlighting his consistent performance and potential to make a significant impact at Alabama.
Alabama’s Struggling Run Game
The Crimson Tide’s run game has struggled in recent years, with the team ranking 123rd out of 134 teams in rushing yards per game in 2025. As the article notes, "Alabama had just 1,562 yards on 456 carries" in 2025, with the team averaging just 3.5 yards a rush. The team’s leading rusher, Jam Miller, had 504 yards, averaging less than four yards a carry, while second-leading rusher Daniel Hill had 75 carries for 284 yards and a team-leading six touchdowns. The lackluster performance of Alabama’s run game makes the addition of Smothers a potentially significant boost to the team’s offense.
The Future of Alabama’s Run Game
With Smothers joining the team, Alabama is hopeful that he can help turn around the team’s struggling run game. As the article states, "Smothers averaged just under six yards a carry before sitting out NC State’s bowl game ahead of entering the transfer portal." The addition of Smothers, combined with the commitment of five-star running back Ezavier Crowell, the No. 18 prospect in the country and the No. 2 running back, provides a promising outlook for the future of Alabama’s run game. As the article notes, Crowell is "the top recruit in the state" of Alabama, highlighting the significant talent and potential that he brings to the team.
Conclusion
The transfer of Hollywood Smothers to the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide has the potential to be a game-changer for the team’s struggling run game. With Smothers’ impressive track record and the commitment of five-star running back Ezavier Crowell, Alabama is poised to make significant improvements in the upcoming season. As the team looks to bounce back from a lackluster performance in 2025, the addition of Smothers and Crowell provides a promising outlook for the future of Alabama’s run game. As the article states, "The Tide averaged just 3.5 yards a rush as a team all season," but with the arrival of Smothers and Crowell, Alabama fans can be hopeful that the team’s run game will see significant improvement in the years to come.
https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/breaking-news/article/nc-state-rb-hollywood-smothers-transferring-to-alabama-122623751.html