WATCH: NC State RB Hollywood Smothers Talks Friendship with KC, Staying Home & Excitement of Getting Back on the Field

NC State Redshirt Freshman Running Back Hollywood Smothers met with the media after practice yesterday, and he had a lot to say about his friendship with Kevin Concepcion, pursuing your dreams in your home state, and his excitement to finally get back on the field.

Smothers and Concepcion used to be high school teammates at Chambers High School in Charlotte.

Yeah, 100%. I was at Oklahoma, just watching my dude (Kevin Concepcion) make plays he used to make back in high school. I used to have to text him after the game, but now I can see him make that play on the field, and run down the field and celebrate with him. It’s definitely a great feeling being back out there with him. When you’re out there with guys you love, you grew up with, it makes the game more fun. You’re willing to try harder for those guys. You do all you can, so they can have as much success as possible.

Smothers and the Running Back room are looking to provide explosive plays, which is somethig Coach Doeren has been emphasizing.

We’ve been working all Fall, trying to execute our run game. In the scrimmage we had a couple of good explosive plays. I was able to hit the seam on one, and was able to get down the field. I just feel like the O-Line has been getting more comfortable with the blocking schemes.

We’ve got tons of guys that can make plays. Grayson (McCall) is going to get the ball to the right person at the right time. No matter who has the ball, in this offense, I believe anyone can make a play. I’ve seen everyone make one. I just feel like we are blessed to have that much depth, as we do in every position. If we can keep the ball in Grayson’s hands, he’s going to put it in the right spot. Coach Doeren said we need more explosive plays, and we definitely have the players to make them.

As a Senior in High School, Smothers was unable to play, and he only played 33 snaps in 4 games in a Redshirt season at Oklahoma last year. He’s itching to play football.

I can’t wait. It’s the first game. Football season is back. That’s enough reason to get hype, and then it’s in Carter-Finley. We’re all back, and we’ve been prepping. We’re going to treat it like every other game. We’re tired of hitting each other in practice. It will be our first time going against a different color jersey. We just can’t wait to get out there and show the fans what we can do.

It’s going to be a whole lot of fun. I can’t wait for y’all to see the show. I’ve got a lot to release. I’ve got a great team around me. We believe in each other, and I believe we’re going to make a lot of things happen. They’ve helped me get back in my game, get in rhythm and boost my confidence up. I feel great going into the game and getting back on the field.

Smothers is back in his home state, pursuing his dreams alongside his friends, and he wants high school players to know they can follow suit.

It means everything for us. I’m one of those guys that went out from high school, trying to go somewhere else, outside the state, trying to find somewhere to go, trying to find success. Coach Doeren told me, ‘Why go somewhere far from home, when you can execute your dreams close to home, where your family can come see you, and spend it with your brothers.’ It made so much more sense. I’ve got so many connections and exposure here. I can do the same thing. I went out and tried to look for it, and I had it all right here in my backyard. It’s great for guys like me, KC (Kevin Concepcion) and Noah (Rogers) that grew up in this area, and know each other, to stay home. KC set the standard staying home, and showing what he can make happen. I just can’t wait to show other kids in high school, you don’t have to go far from home to make things happen.

In high school, Smothers was a 2x North Carolina Offensive Player of the year. As a Junior he racked up 1,700+ yards and 30 touchdowns.