NC State Running Back Hollywood Smothers is Entering the Transfer Portal

NC State Redshirt Sophomore Hollywood Smothers will be entering the Transfer Portal.

BREAKING: NC State starting RB Hollywood Smothers plans to enter the @TransferPortal, his agent tells @On3Sports

This season he totaled 1,128 yards and 7 TDs

Smothers, who is repped by @bnm_nil, will also explore NFL Draft optionshttps://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/BZPbFwd8tQ

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 18, 2025

Smothers finished the regular season with 939 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. He also has 37 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown this year. Smothers’ 37 receptions rank 3rd on the team.

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 earned a spot on the Official All-ACC 1st Team.

To be honest, this might actually be a positive for NC State. That might sound stupid, but the reality is the price tag to bring Smothers back for Year 3 wouldn’t be cheap. If the Wolfpack can bring back redshirt freshman Duke Scott, they would have a quality RB1 at a much lower cost.

When given the opportunity, Scott has looked the part of an ACC starting running back. This season, he rushed for 487 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He also added 15 receptions for 132 yards.

Smothers finished the year just 61 yards shy of 1,000, and I believe Scott has the chops to be a 1,000-yard rusher if given the opportunity in 2026.

Am I looking at this through rose-colored glasses? On one hand, sure. Losing a First Team All-ACC running back is a significant loss. There’s no denying that. On the other hand, could the money Smothers would command give you the ability to lock in one or two other players?

Absolutely.

Smothers is the 4th NC State player to enter the Transfer Portal, joining Defensive End Justin Terrell, Defensive End Josh Alexander-Felton and Offensive Lineman Val Erickson.