Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns travel to Knoxville, Tennessee, Saturday to face the Volunteers. It's not only a battle between two of the best teams in the country, with the Longhorns sitting as the top-ranked team and the Vols at No. 14, but also a high-profile clash between two of college football's true blueblood programs. Surprisingly, it's also the first time the two schools have played each other since 1969.
But Manning may need to do it without star transfer Hollywood Smothers. Smothers didn't practice Thursday and is currently listed as questionable with a lower leg injury, with CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reporting that there's "legitimate concern" he could miss the game. More news: Oregon Hit With Blunt Warning Ahead of Crucial USC Showdown Smothers was one of the Longhorns' key additions through the transfer portal last offseason, alongside former Auburn wideout Cam Coleman, Arkansas defensive lineman Ian Geffrard, and Wake Forest offensive tackle Melvin Siani, among others.
In total, Texas brought in 22 commits through the portal, good for the third-ranked transfer haul in the country. But of all the new additions, Smothers may already have made the biggest impact. Through the first three games, he's rushed for 198 yards and two touchdowns on 41 carries, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, along with 54 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown.
He transferred from NC State, where he rushed for 939 yards and six touchdowns on 160 carries in 2025, averaging 5.9 yards per carry, along with 189 receiving yards, earning first-team All-ACC honors. More news: Mississippi State AD Sends Strong Signal on Kamario Taylor’s Future More news: Ole Miss Coach Pete Golding Gives Trinidad Chambliss the Ultimate Compliment Smothers has played a crucial role in each of Texas' first three wins, and not having him would be a significant blow for Manning and the Longhorns' offense. Raleek Brown, another top transfer from Arizona State, would need to be leaned on more.
Through three games, Brown has 129 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 31 carries, averaging 4.2 yards per carry, along with seven catches for 22 receiving yards.
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