North Carolina State has 12 players listed as out, seven as questionable, and one who will sit out the first half due to a targeting penalty that occurred in the last game, ahead of their contest at Miami on Saturday. Linebacker Tra Thomas was called for targeting in the second half against Georgia Tech on November 1.
Miami will also be missing several key starters on Saturday, and one starter listed as questionable on the initial Student-Athlete Availability Reporting update posted on Thursday night. Entering the final quarter of the regular season, most college football programs are dealing with attrition on their rosters.
Players out that have contributed for NC State in 2025 are starters, LB Sean Brown and safety Brody Barnhardt and reserve LB A.J. Richardson. Key players questionable for NC State are starting guards Anthony Carter Jr and Spike Sowells, safety Ronnie Royal III, running back Hollywood Smothers and tight end Justin Joly.
Brown is fourth on NC State with 44 tackles, has 3.5 tackles for loss and one pass defended. Barnhardt made his first start against Georgia Tech two weeks ago and has 23 tackles and a 0.5 TFL. Richardson has contributed 8.0 tackles in 2025.
NC State @ACCFootball Availability Report Versus Miami pic.twitter.com/HtgwVksvjR
— Canes Warning (@CanesWarningFS) November 14, 2025
Joly and Smothers are expected to play for NC State on Saturday, per CBS Sports Matt Zenitz. Joly has 36 receptions for 365 yards and five TDs in 2025. Smothers leads NC State with 825 rushing yards and six TDs and has added 28 receptions for 170 yards and another score.
In addition to Carter and Sowells, NC State could be without Rico Jackson, who started the last two games at guard. Royal is fifth on NC State with 41 tackles, 0.5 TFL, one interception, one pass defended and one forced fumble in 2025.
Injuries could have a big impact for NC State and Miami on Saturday. NC State potentially being without three guards on their offensive line is significant against an elite Miami defensive line. Miami leads the ACC, allowing 15.0 points per game and permitting 285.1 yards per game.