He prioritized winning over NIL dollars, bringing championship aspirations to a loaded Texas backfield.
In the third quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers, with his team down by 10, NC State running back Hollywood Smothers broke off a 14-yard run to the end zone to make it a one-score game for the Wolfpack.
Later in the quarter, Smothers struck again for a nine-yard touchdown run to put the Wolfpack ahead for good to earn a hard-fought 35-31 victory.
He finished the night with 17 carries for 140 yards.
Last season, Smothers rushed for 939 yards and six touchdowns and averaged 5.8 yards per carry, even after missing two games. Once the season ended, Smothers was named first-team All-ACC and entered the transfer portal.
As one of the top running backs in the portal, Smothers landed on the Forty Acres and Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns squad. In a post on X by Pete Nakos of On3, Smothers said this about his decision to transfer to Texas,
“NIL didn’t play a big factor for me... 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 said.
Smothers joined the Longhorns at the most appropriate time. Texas lost as many as five running backs who transferred out of the program, including Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter.
Sarkisian also added Raleek Brown from Arizona State, a first-team All-Big 12 selection. A two-headed monster at running back now exists on an already talented Texas offense going into the 2026 season.
The Longhorns offense will be led again by quarterback Arch Manning, who added 399 yards rushing last season. But with the addition of Smothers and Brown, Manning should not have to run as much as he did last season. Besides, he will be too busy, throwing passes to receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman.
The Longhorns have had a 1,000-yard rusher in four of the last five seasons.
Behind a talented offensive line that includes Trevor Goosby, Smothers or Brown, or both, could be the next member of the 1,000-yard club.
Smothers wants to win football games. The Longhorns will be one of the most talented teams in college football next season, and they hope to improve their win total from last season.
There could be another national championship on the horizon, and while the Eyes of Texas are upon them, Smothers and his fellow Longhorns will have their eyes on the prize.