NC State running back to enter transfer portal, will explore NFL Draft

Hollywood Smothers informed media on Dec. 18, 2025 that he intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal on Jan. 2, 2026 and will also explore possibilities in the NFL Draft. Smothers emerged this season as one of the Atlantic Coast Conference most productive rushers, totaling roughly 900 plus rushing yards, and his choice to test transfer and professional options arrived late in NC State football season planning.

The immediate impact is roster uncertainty for the Wolfpack as coaches prepare for the upcoming bowl and the 2026 season. Reports varied on whether Smothers will play in the bowl game, with expectations that he could sit out. That scenario would shift carries to returning backs and elevate the urgency of recruiting and evaluating portal targets in early January. For scholarship allocation and depth chart strategy, Smothers departure would free a scholarship but would also create a gap at a high usage position that rarely is covered by a single player.

The decision carries broader market implications for Wake County. NC State home games at Carter Finley Stadium generate activity for local restaurants, hotels, and retail outlets. A high profile roster change can affect ticket demand, merchandise sales, and season ticket marketing as fans recalibrate expectations for offensive production. If Smothers were to be selected in the NFL Draft, that outcome could enhance local pride while also highlighting the program as a pipeline to the pros, a selling point for future recruiting.

Smothers exploration of the NFL Draft also introduces an evaluation timeline for professional scouts and for the player himself. Entering the transfer portal while weighing draft options gives Smothers leverage to consider programs that might boost his draft profile, or to pursue training and evaluation that improves his professional prospects.

NC State coaches and Wake County supporters will watch the portal window closely when it opens on Jan. 2, 2026. The coming weeks will determine whether Smothers remains in Raleigh for the bowl, lands at another collegiate program, or moves toward an NFL career, and each path will carry distinct implications for the Wolfpack and the local economy.