NC State’s Justin Joly & Hollywood Smothers Are Expected to be Back for MIA

According to CBS Sports, Redshirt Sophomore Running Back Hollywood Smothers and Senior Tight End Justin Joly are expected to be back for NC State this Saturday for their matchup at #16 Miami.

NC State star running back Hollywood Smothers and standout tight end Justin Joly are both likely to be able to play against No. 15 Miami on Saturday after both missing the team’s win over Georgia Tech due to injury, sources tell @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/Vmiba2NBXp

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 13, 2025

This is HUGE news for the Wolfpack.

Despite missing NC State’s last game against Georgia Tech, Smothers still leads the ACC in rushing (825 yards / 103.1 ypg). He is currently averaging 6.9 yards per carry, which is tied for the third-best average in the conference. If the season were to end today, Smothers’ 6.9 yards-per-carry single-season average would rank second in NC State history. Smothers has also rushed for six touchdowns, which is tied for 10th in the ACC.

Joly also missed the Wolfpack’s Top-10 upset of the Yellow Jackets. He heads into NC State’s contest against the Hurricanes this weekend with 36 receptions for 365 yards and five touchdowns. Joly leads the Wolfpack in receptions and touchdown catches.

Even with the return of Smothers and Joly, NC State will be the underdogs down in Miami, but their chances of victory just multiplied exponentially.