Texas running back Hollywood Smothers will miss the remainder of the season because of a torn MCL, a source confirmed to ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Thursday. Smothers opened the season as the Longhorns’ starter at running back.
The news removes a player who appeared in six games for Texas after transferring from NC State. Smothers started five of those six games for the Longhorns.
His biggest performance with Texas came during the Longhorns’ upset of Ohio State, which was No. 1 at the time. Smothers rushed for 74 yards and scored two touchdowns in the 24-23 victory.
Both of Smothers’ touchdowns came on Texas’ final two drives. The Longhorns scored 21 points during the fourth quarter to complete the comeback against Ohio State.
Smothers finished his season with 283 rushing yards and two touchdowns for Texas. His appearances were interrupted by multiple injuries before the torn MCL ended his season.
He missed the Longhorns’ game against Tennessee because of a lower-body injury. Smothers also sat out Texas’ game against Ole Miss with a shoulder injury.
The running back later returned to action against Mississippi State last weekend. He recorded four carries for minus-6 yards before leaving the game after his latest injury.
Smothers arrived at Texas following a season at NC State in which he rushed for 939 yards and six touchdowns. He was named first-team All-ACC for his performance last season.
His college career began at Oklahoma before he moved to NC State. Smothers then became one of the backs most sought after in the transfer portal following his season at NC State.
Smothers initially committed to Alabama during his transfer process. He later flipped that commitment and joined Texas, where he became the season opening starter at running back.
The Smothers injury is one of several health concerns surrounding No. 7 Texas ahead of Saturday’s road game against No. 18 Missouri. Multiple Longhorns remain listed as questionable for the matchup.
Edge rusher Colin Simmons is still questionable after suffering a high ankle sprain. Simmons has missed each of Texas’ past two games because of the injury.
Starting wide receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman are also listed as questionable. Nickel corner Graceson Littleton, who has started every game this season, carries the same designation.
Texas has already lost left tackle Trevor Goosby for the remainder of the season. Goosby is identified as a top NFL draft prospect in addition to his role on the Longhorns’ offensive line.
Goosby underwent successful surgery last week to repair his torn left patellar tendon. Sources previously provided that information to Thamel.