NC State Running Back Hollywood Smothers Made History in Year 2

Redshirt Sophomore Running Back Hollywood Smothers carved out a spot for himself in the NC State record books in his second year in Raleigh.

Smothers finished the regular season with 939 rushing yards, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Through 2 seasons, Hollywood has a career yard per carry average of 6.1, which ranks 1st in the history of the NC State football program.

1. Hollywood Smothers – 2024-25/249/1,510/6.1
2. Zonovan Knight – 2019-21/419/2,286/5.46
2. Roland Hooks – 1972-74/251/1,368/5.45
3. Anthony Barbour – 1988-90/ 1991-92/474/2,575/5.43
4. Nyheim Hines – 2015-17/258/1,399/5.42
5. Ted Brown – 1975-78/860/4,602/5.35

Smothers also has 37 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown this year. Smothers’ 37 receptions rank 3rd on the team.

Heading into the Wolfpack’s bowl game, Smothers ranks 2nd in the ACC in rushing yards, trailing UVA’s J’Mari Taylor by 58 yards.

The last time an NC State Running Back rushed for 939 yards in a season was back in 2018, when Reggie Gallaspy II rushed for 1,091 yards.

Earlier this week, Smothers’ was named to the Official All-ACC 1st Team, becoming the first Wolfpack Running Back to earn 1st Team honors since Nyheim Hines in 2017.

Smothers was one of the players to be honored on Senior night this past Saturday. Since this is his 3rd year of college football, he is eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft. It is not uncommon for a player with eligibility remaining to walk on Senior night, and still return the following year. Smothers is a legitimate 2026 NFL Draft prospect, but we will have to see whether or not he opts to return to Raleigh next season to raise his draft stock.

Smothers has two years of eligibility remaining.