The breakout season by North Carolina State running back Hollywood Smothers helped him earn a midseason honor from The Associated Press.

Smothers, the Atlantic Coast Conference's leading rusher, was voted the league's most surprising player so far this season, according to the AP honors released Wednesday.

N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said he expected success this season for Smothers, a sophomore from Charlotte who rushed for 571 yards in 2024. Smothers ranks third in the nation with 739 rushing yards, the ACC’s top total. He also leads the conference with 105.6 rushing yards per game.

“I knew last season as the season wore on how explosive he was and that if he were to have the offseason we needed him to have and he would sustain his health that he would be what he is, what you are wat

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