What to know about NC State's Hollywood Smothers ahead of Memphis bowl game
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Memphis football is officially in bowl prep season, and it face NC State in the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 19.
Preparing for the Wolfpack means preparing for running back Hollywood Smothers, who is obviously on any college football all-name team and isn’t too shabby on the field, either. Smothers has rushed for 939 yards and six touchdowns for NC State this season and will have a shot to go over 1,000 yards against the Tigers. He also has 37 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown this season.
Memphis (8-4, 4-4 American Conference) and NC State (7-5, 4-4 ACC) will kick off at 1:30 p.m. CT on Dec. 19 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.
A 5-foot-11, 195-pound sophomore from Charlotte, North Carolina, Smothers started his collegiate career at Oklahoma and redshirted before transferring to NC State ahead of the 2024 season. He rushed for 571 yards and six touchdowns in 2024.
Why Hollywood Smothers has his nickname
Smothers’ real name is Daylan.
As for his nickname, it stems from his knack for making highlight-reel plays.
“When it’s lights and cameras, I bring that action,” Smothers said in a 2021 interview with the Charlotte Observer.
Memphis vs. NC State preview
While the Tigers will be trying to slow down Smothers and NC State quarterback C.J. Bailey, the Wolfpack will have to deal with Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis. He has been banged-up in the back half of the season but should be healthier, with plenty of time after Memphis’ most recent game, on Nov. 27 against Navy.
There will be numerous questions about the Tigers because they’re going into the bowl game with an interim coach in defensive backs coach Reggie Howard. Ryan Silverfield left for Arkansas on Nov. 30 and will be replaced by former Southern Miss coach Charles Huff, but Howard will coach the Tigers against the Wolf Pack.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What to know of NC State’s Hollywood Smothers ahead of Memphis bowl game
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