Take one look at the skilled position players Rhett Lashlee has recruited and is recruiting to SMU and you’ll catch on real quick. They’re all blazing fast.

Speed is the name of the game for the ACC’s newest member, which already has commitments from four players in the 2025 Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Hot 100 recruiting rankings. 

Three of those four recruits currently run track, and none are more explosive than the 5-foot-10, 165-pound receiver Daylon Singleton.

The DeSoto product committed to the Mustangs on September 8th, 2023, and has kept his focus in Dallas ever since, even with No. 2 option Miami still keeping tabs. 

“You’re going to have to come really hard, because SMU is on point,” said Singleton when asked about the potential of a new college sweeping him away.

Singleton is a two-time state-champion wide receiver who brings electrifying speed to the outside, already breaking school records in track relays as a freshman at one of Texas’ best athletic high schools.

“You’re going to have to change your defense up to maintain our speed on the outside,” Singleton said.

Singleton is coming off of a junior season where he amassed over 1,200 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, including 136 yards and three scores in DeSoto’s thrashing of Humble Summer Creek to win the 6A Division II championship.

But speed isn’t everything for the young star. Singleton is an avid film grinder, making sure he knows every matchup and detail heading into games. This mentality drew him even closer to SMU, where he felt like that was encouraged.

Singleton instantly made a connection with wide receiver coach and associate head coach Rob Likens, who has mentored receivers for 30 years, most recently turning now-Super Bowl Champion Rashee Rice into one of the NFL’s best young receivers.

“He kept it 100 with me,” Singleton said. “He treated me like a son when I was up there... It wasn’t just always about football, it was about my life.”

Singleton is very academically motivated, studying engineering in high school with hopes to continue on that path after college. Some of his favorite parts about the SMU visits were how much the players and coaches cared about the players' academics. Unlimited study hall hours, high-tier tutoring and staff that take time out of their day to watch film all stood out for the wide receiver. 

Singleton will also be joined by a familiar face when he arrives at the Hilltop in Duncanville quarterback Keelon Russell, one of the gems of SMU’s recruiting class.. The two have known each other for years.

“Once I (saw him) commit to SMU I was like, man, that's just making me want to commit more,” said Singleton, who posted 179 yards and two touchdowns in DeSoto’s win over Duncanville in 2023.

Though always humble, Singleton is excited about the prospect of being the next star in Dallas. The wideout has already extensively studied  Lashlee’s offense and knows he’ll be a good fit in the high-tempo game. But what Singleton emphasized more than anything was his knack for leading, and having people buy into the team’s success.

“They’re going to get a leader,” Singleton said. “I’m willing to correct anything. I’m a team player.”

With two championships already under his belt, it’s safe to say his leadership and work ethic off the field have paid dividends. And it’s just a matter of time before “Russell to Singleton” is echoed over the speakers of Gerald J. Ford Stadium.