Tony’s take: Alabama should rescind Hollywood Smothers’ offer

One of the keys to being an elite running back is a good first step. Hollywood Smothers is already off on the wrong foot with Alabama. Five days after publicly committing to the Crimson Tide, the North Carolina State transfer is currently on a visit to Texas. 

To be fair, Alabama never signed Smothers out of the portal. Unlike the situation with Washington and quarterback Desmond Williams, there’s no contract tying Smothers to the Tide.

It’s just like how there’s technically nothing tying your girlfriend to you once you propose. However, I’d be a little concerned if my fiancée continued to date around after I popped the question. 

Don’t worry, Alabama. Smothers is just busy this weekend. I’m sure he’ll text you back when he gets the chance. 

I’m not going to play the role of an old man yelling at the clouds. College football is different now, and so is a new offseason format that includes just one transfer portal window. Commitment isn’t a common trait among today’s star athletes. That’s especially true for someone like Smothers, who is set to join his third school in four years.

Alabama understands the current landscape and knows what it’s getting into when pursuing top targets out of the portal. Still, there comes a time when the Tide is going to have to consider putting its foot down.  

I don’t envy the task Kalen DeBoer and general manager Courtney Morgan have in rebuilding Alabama’s roster this offseason. I’m also not suggesting I’d fare well in either of their roles. 

However, if it were up to me, I’d pull Smothers’ offer immediately. 

I’m not saying that will be easy. Smothers led the ACC, averaging 85.4 yards per game on the ground last season. The dynamic playmaker is comparable to former Alabama star Jahmyr Gibbs and would be the perfect complement to Daniel Hill’s powerful running style in the Tide’s backfield. 

I was excited for Alabama when it appeared to land Smothers. But now, I just can’t see this situation working out for the Tide. 

First off, as nice as Smothers would look in crimson and white next fall, Alabama has bigger needs than running back. Hill proved to be a serviceable starter last season, and the Tide will also have potential breakout candidates in rising sophomore AK Dear as well as incoming five-star freshman Ezavier Crowell. 

If Smothers were an offensive tackle or a road-grating guard, I might be more willing to turn a blind eye to his shenanigans in Austin this weekend. But he’s not, and Alabama can afford to send a message here. 

Even if Smothers holds true to his commitment, there will be a dark cloud hanging over him with the fanbase. It’s hard enough to step into an elite program like Alabama. 

There might be a large portion of the fanbase willing to be patient with Smothers this weekend, but wait until the first time he whiffs on a key block or drops a ball in a big game. Wait until he goes into a mini-slump and is taking snaps away from a five-star in-state talent. 

As good as Smothers was last season, there’s no guarantee he’ll be a hit at Alabama. His numbers were great last year, and the tape doesn’t lie. However, it’s worth pointing out that he managed a combined 44 yards on 19 carries against the two ranked teams he faced — Miami and Notre Dame. 

Alabama is looking to return to its previous standard. Back then, the Tide pulled in players committed to the process and focused on winning while bettering themselves for the next level.  

I get it, that mindset is slowly becoming a thing of the past. But if Alabama isn’t careful, the same will be said about winning titles.