It isn't often that you see two of the top players at the same position in the transfer portal commit to the same program, but that's exactly what running backs Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown did this offseason.
Both Smothers and Brown committed to the Texas Longhorns out of the portal, adding the much-needed depth at running back that the team was looking for.
Now, the two transfers are competing for the same snaps as fall camp unfolds, but the competition hasn't created any animosity between the pair.
Instead, the two running backs have been seemingly inseparable this fall, standing side by side throughout warmups, talking to each other between drills, and (obviously) working right next to each other during every practice.
Brown and Smothers have been inseparable since coming to campus.
— Evan Vieth (@EvanVieth) August 7, 2026
Says a lot about the room that two top-four transfers are this close despite having to share reps and snaps on the first team. https://t.co/MZjpG8FFAd
Not only does that speak to their maturity as both young men and athletes, but it also showcases the undeniably healthy and positive culture that head coach Steve Sarkisian has created on the 40 Acres.
Instead of two running backs letting their competition come between them, undoubtedly breeding animosity in the locker room, they are leaning on each other to grow individually. Competition breeds excellence, but only when it is handled properly. As of now, that's exactly what the Longhorns are doing.
Will Steve Sarkisian give Hollywood Smothers or Raleek Brown the nod?
While the two have been sharing reps during fall camp, most eyes are on the former NC State running back Smothers to get the nod as Texas's RB1 this season. However, Brown is coming off an arguably much more impressive 2025 season than Smothers is.
Coming over to Texas after two seasons with the USC Trojans and the Arizona State Sun Devils apiece, Brown amassed a whopping 1,141 rushing yards last year, while also earning 239 receiving yards for six total touchdowns.
Younger, but bigger, Smothers earned 939 rushing yards for six touchdowns on the ground last season for the NC State Wolfpack, earning just 189 yards and one touchdown through the air.
For an even more introspective comparison, Brown earned 6.1 yards per carry, with a season-long of an 88-yard rush on the season. Smothers earned 5.9 yards per rush attempt with a season-long of 65 yards.
Arizona State also tapped Brown for a few punt and kickoff returns, a role he is similarly expected to play for the Longhorns in 2026. He will likely be returning punts with Ryan Niblett acting as Texas's go-to guy for kickoff returns once again.
Read more: Projecting Texas football's 2026 depth chart before the start of fall camp
No matter who is the RB1 and who is the RB2 by the time the season kicks off next month, the two are handling the position battle perfectly, and for that, Sarkisian deserves at least a round of applause or two.
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