Daylan Smothers
Buzz vs Tape
Fans hotter than the country
His own fans read him warmer than the wider college football conversation does — a gap of 51.9 points in belief.
Also worth knowing:
Daylan Smothers
Wins in space out of the backfield. Daylan Smothers has played for two head coaches across three seasons and two programs. The receipt on tape: 164 rush yds, 4 receptions against Wake Forest, Week 3, 2025.
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- positional archetype classification
- head-coach lineage
- game log
Career Arc
Coaching Lineage · 2023–2025
1 coachPlayed his entire career under Dave Doeren.
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Splits & context
Supporting Cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Dave Doeren
Career stats
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2025
W 35–31
vs Virginia
140 rush yds (17 car) · 2 TD
Edged out Virginia at home in a shootout.
How he plays
Play style
Deployed as a receiver as much as a runner. Value is in space, not between the tackles.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
NC State
2026 Depth chart
Returning starter
Running back · NC State
Returning around him
- 95% of 2024 offensive production back (Strong continuity)
- 2 NC State players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -2 net (20 in / 22 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
NC State · Last season: 8-5 · Talent rank #45 · 2026 recruiting class #49
DNA match
Player DNA
Satellite Back
Deployed as a receiver as much as a runner. Value is in space, not between the tackles.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to Tre Wisner’s 2024 season.
Matches Tre on
Differs from Tre on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a junior, his production profile tracks closest to Quincy Craig's junior season at Arizona (2025).
Matches Quincy on
Differs from Quincy on
Player DNA
Players who play like Daylan Smothers
Heisman trajectory
Heisman Trajectory · 2025
Peak #148
Peaked at #148 this season.
Development
Development Trajectory · rushing yards
2023–2025+2136%
Up 2136% from first season to most-recent.