Smothers told On3 that he prioritized putting himself in the best position to reach the NFL and win a championship, pointing to Texas’ QB situation with Arch Manning and the depth Texas has added. He contrasted that with Alabama, noting Ty Simpson’s departure to the draft and the churn in Alabama’s wide receiver room as factors that could hinder a title run.
The Texas recruitment, led by Steve Sarkisian, emphasized using Smothers in a balanced attack alongside a back like Raleek Brown. Smothers said Sarkisian demonstrated a plan to involve him and Brown, highlighting how Manning’s presence could make it difficult for opponents to stack the box.
Smothers also stressed that NIL was not a significant factor in his decision, saying the focus was on winning. He suggested that the overall landscape at Texas offered a clearer path to a championship than what he perceived at Alabama.
Statistically, Smothers produced 571 yards on 89 carries with six touchdowns for NC State in 2024, then improved to 939 rushing yards on 160 carries with six touchdowns in 2025. By comparison, Alabama’s lead back in 2025, Jam Miller, posted 504 yards and three touchdowns, while the Tide averaged 3.35 yards per carry (123rd among 134 FBS teams), underscoring ongoing concerns with the run game.
With Smothers gone, Alabama remains led by backs such as Daniel Hill, Kevin Riley, and AK Dear, with true freshman EJ Crowell in the mix as Richard Young transferred to Colorado. Kalen DeBoer did not add another RB from the portal after Smothers’ flip, leaving Alabama’s backfield with a still-developing or uncertain depth chart ahead of the next season.
