Last week, SMU dipped into Tyler Chapel Hill to secure two four-star commitments from ATH Demetrius Brisbon and RB Rickey Stewart. 

The East Texas duo picked the Mustangs over a bevy of national offers that included names like Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Michigan, Oregon, TCU and Texas. 

"You know, I give a lot of credit to coach Kyle Cooper (SMU Safeties/Special Teams Coordinator)," Tyler Chapel Hill head coach Jeff Riordan explained when asked how SMU beat out the national heavyweights. "I think the biggest deal is relationships in this game.

"He's been very honest, very real, has made the effort to build that relationship with Rickey and 'D,' he comes through here with recruiting, spends time with them, you know it's just good people, they enjoy being around him, he has a great personality that the kids kinda feed off of.

"I think that's the biggest deal is just building that comfort with the head coach, the recruiting coordinator in this area, and their position coach," Riordan continued. "SMU has done a great job in recruiting Chapel Hill, and I think their presence in East Texas has been awesome."

Brisbon, a 5-foot-11, 170-pounder, is rated as DCTF four-star athlete and could play any number of positions at the next level, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, or safety. 

"Our nickname for him is Superman," Riordan said. "He can do a little bit of everything. When we're in a critical situation in a game, we want the ball in his hands.

"Not many kids can do what he can do. He's an explosive player that at any moment can throw a 65-yard touchdown pass, or pull the ball down and go 80 (yards) running the ball -- a great athlete who can do anything. 

"He's a very savvy football player, very smart kid, and just a fun kid to coach and be around. Great personality, one of those kids you enjoy coming to work every day and coaching."

Stewart, a 5-foot-10, 180-pounder, is rated as a DCTF four-star running back and the No. 1 RB in the 2025 DCTF Rising Hot 100. 

"Ricky reminds me of Adrian Peterson when he came through high school," Riordan said. "He's just a different level of strong, a different level of fast on the football field. He just has a knack for running where people aren't and getting to the endzone.

"Ricky is another kid that's just fun to coach and fun to be around. Very talented."

Outside of their skillsets on the field, Riordan explained that Brisbon and Stewart are two of the most hungry and driven players he's coached, and they are proven winners.

"I've seen every basketball game, every football game, and every track meet, and they just don't lose," Riordan stated. "They've always won until they got pulled from the freshman team and lost in the 5th round two years ago; they've never lost a football game or a basketball game.

"They're just tough kids that are winners, and they really don't understand how to lose. Great kids that work hard. They're strong, they're fast, they're blessed, and they're very special when they put the helmet on, and you put the ball in their hands."