Heading into May, SMU had three commits: Dallas Parish Episcopal four-star QB Preston Stone (6'2, 205), Fort Worth All Saints three-star ATH Montaye Dawson (5'8, 175), and Lubbock Coronado three-star S Izaiah Kelley (6'2, 175). 

By adding seven new May commitments SMU has surged in the national recruiting rankings, checking in at No. 24 nationally in the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings. It outranks programs like Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Alabama, Auburn, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. 

Here is a closer look at the seven new commitments that helped power SMU up the recruiting charts. 

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RB Brandon Epton Jr. - Dallas Kimball

• Commit Date: 5/1
• Picked SMU Over: Houston, Texas Tech, Arizona State, Cal, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt
• Ranking: Three-star
• Quick Hitter: The 2019 6-5A D-II Newcomer of the Year was an excellent addition for SMU's offense. Epton has the right blend of acceleration and agility. SMU beat out schools from the Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC for his commitment, which speaks to the type of versatility he will bring to the offense. 

S Isaiah Nwokobia - Dallas Skyline:

• Commit Date: 5/1
• Picked SMU Over: Baylor, Texas, Texas Tech, Arizona, Arizona State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, USC, Utah 
• Ranking: Three-star, DCTF #94
• Quick Hitter: A genuine prospect on the rise. Nwokobia is amid a monster offseason. He will be one of the most intimidating defenders in the DFW in 2020. Athletic defensive specimen who will knock your block off. 

LB/S Jadarius Thursby - Duncanville:

• Commit Date: 5/1
• Picked SMU Over: Houston, UTSA, Arkansas, Boston College, Kansas, Missouri
• Ranking: Three-star
• Quick Hitter: This is the new age defender that college programs are continually looking to find. He has the hitting ability of a linebacker but moves around the field like a defensive back. Thursby is a multi-functional defensive weapon. 

WR Joseph Manjack - Tomball Memorial:

• Commit Date: 5/5
• Picked SMU Over: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Washington State
• Ranking: Three-star
• Quick Hitter: Manjack is one of the players in the state that deserves a lot more mention than he gets. His size creates coverage mismatches, but when you factor in his football IQ and overall athleticism, you can quickly see unique talent.  

WR Dylan Goffney - Cypress Bridgeland: 

• Commit Date: 5/9
• Picked SMU Over: Houston, Arizona, Arkansas, Cal, Duke, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, Utah, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech
• Ranking: Three-star, DCTF #77
• Quick Hitter: The Next Level Athlete Texas Top 100 WR MVP (Houston). Goffney is a consistent playmaker on the outside, and he has powerful hands. He can make very tough catches look easy. He runs good routes and is consistent and dependable. 

LB Trevion Sneed - Mineola:

• Commit Date: 5/10
• Picked SMU Over: North Texas, Colorado State, Kansas
• Ranking: Three-star
• Quick Hitter: Dominate two-way player on the 3A level. Sneed is a long strider with good feet and change of direction. He is not an elite sprinter but shows good football speed and closes quickly on defense, where he projects in college. 

WR Jayleen Record - Dallas Kimball:

• Commit Date: 5/10
• Picked SMU Over: Arkansas State, Dartmouth, Georgetown
• Ranking: Three-star
• Quick Hitter: Record is a mismatch option in the slot. His acceleration and overall quickness make him a real problem for defenders to slow. He is not the biggest player on the field, but quite often, he does make the game's biggest plays.  

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More notes on SMU's recruiting start...

• SMU holds a commitment from Adidas All-American QB Preston Stone. SMU has never had a commitment in the All-American Bowl. 
• SMU has four commitments from DCTF Hot 100 members. In over 15 years, it has not signed more than two Top 100 members in any class (2019, 2015). 
• 9-of-10 commitments had offers to play at Power Five conference schools. 8-of-10 had multiple offers to play at Power Five conference schools. 
• Throwing out Preston Stone's lengthy offer list, the current group of SMU commits had 62 Power Five conference offers. SMU has landed non-binding verbal commits over programs like Baylor, Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Nebraska, and more.