Jan. 3, 2026, 8:42 a.m. ET
The FSU Seminoles are expected to host several transfer portal targets on visits over the next few days, but one of their top targets is no longer expected to make it. Former NC State running back Hollywood Smothers is no longer planning to visit the Seminoles, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
Smothers is still set to visit the Alabama Crimson Tide and seems likely to commit to them. He is one of the top running backs in the portal and would have given the Seminoles a proven No. 1 tailback, a staple of a Gus Malzahn offense, and something they lacked last year.
He is ranked as the No. 27 overall player and No. 3 running back in the portal by 247Sports. The Charlotte, North Carolina native has two more seasons of eligibility after spending the past two seasons at NC State and the one prior with the Oklahoma Sooners.
Smothers had a breakout performance in 2024 for the Wolfpack, rushing for 571 yards and six touchdowns on 89 carries, an average of 6.4 yards per attempt. He took another step this past year, finishing with 939 yards and six touchdowns on 160 carries, being named the First-Team All-ACC running back for his great work.
The good news for the Seminoles is that they are set to return promising running backs Ousmane Kromah and Samuel Singleton Jr., who both look poised for a strong season. Kromah finished third on the team with 408 yards as a true freshman, and Singleton emerged as the starter at the end of the season.
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