North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Trio Named to AP All-ACC First Team
12/8/2025 12:05:00 PM | Football
Smothers, Joly and Fordham Take Home More First-Team Honors
RALEIGH, N.C. – Three NC State Football players were named to the Associated Press All-ACC team. Running back Hollywood Smothers, tight end Justin Joly, and linebacker Caden Fordham were all first-team selections
This marks the second time the trio has received First-Team honors, as they also received All-ACC First Team honors.
Smothers, a redshirt sophomore from Charlotte, is the first Wolfpack running back since 1997 to lead the ACC in rushing yards per game with 85.4 yards per game and garnered the second-highest point total on the all-conference offensive team. Although hampered later in the season with an injury, Smothers rushed for 100+ yards in four contests this season, scoring seven total touchdowns. He also gained receiving yards for the season.
This marks the second time the trio has received First-Team honors, as they also received All-ACC First Team honors.
Smothers, a redshirt sophomore from Charlotte, is the first Wolfpack running back since 1997 to lead the ACC in rushing yards per game with 85.4 yards per game and garnered the second-highest point total on the all-conference offensive team. Although hampered later in the season with an injury, Smothers rushed for 100+ yards in four contests this season, scoring seven total touchdowns. He also gained receiving yards for the season.
Smothers is the first Wolfpack running back to earn first-team All-AP honors since Nyheim Hines in 2017.
A senior from Brewster, N.Y., Joly tied the NC State record for single-season touchdowns by a tight end with seven. That mark is tied as the best in the P4 for a tight end, while his total receptions are the fourth-best in the Power 4. He finished the year with 47 catches for 468 yards, despite missing a game with an injury.
Coming off a serious knee injury, Fordham started every game for the 7-5 Wolfpack, playing both linebacker spots. He led the league in tackles with 10.8 per game (130 total) - the top mark for any Power 4 player in 2025.
He is the first Wolfpack linebacker since Payton Wilson in 2020 to be named to the Associated Press All-ACC First-Team.
A senior from Brewster, N.Y., Joly tied the NC State record for single-season touchdowns by a tight end with seven. That mark is tied as the best in the P4 for a tight end, while his total receptions are the fourth-best in the Power 4. He finished the year with 47 catches for 468 yards, despite missing a game with an injury.
Coming off a serious knee injury, Fordham started every game for the 7-5 Wolfpack, playing both linebacker spots. He led the league in tackles with 10.8 per game (130 total) - the top mark for any Power 4 player in 2025.
He is the first Wolfpack linebacker since Payton Wilson in 2020 to be named to the Associated Press All-ACC First-Team.
Players Mentioned
Coach Doeren Signing Day Presser (Dec. 3rd)
Wednesday, December 03
FB Players Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Nov. 24)
Monday, November 24