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A youth movement: Previewing NC State’s RB room ahead of fall camp

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman07/15/25fleischman_noah
Hollywood Smothers
NC State redshirt sophomore running back Daylan Smothers rushed for 414 yards and five touchdowns over his last five games a year ago. (USA Today Sports photos)

As NC State’s offense needed a spark down the stretch last fall, then-redshirt freshman running back Hollywood Smothers quickly emerged as the Wolfpack’s top weapon. His elusive running was game-changing, while his ability to make something out of nothing was equally impressive.  Smothers’ standout play vaulted him from No. 3 on the Pack’s depth chart to the top spot by the end of the season. Now, as NC State prepares for the 2025 campaign, he is the Wolfpack’s go-to option in the backfield behind sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey.