Rhett Lashlee won’t call the SMU run in 2024 a “dream season” because his Ponies lost the last two games of the season. They lost in the last minute of the ACC Championship Game to Clemson and were beaten soundly at Penn State in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Success is becoming the norm on the Hilltop after decades of purgatory. The Mustangs have won 44 games and one conference championship since the start of this decade. The program went 35 years between 10-win seasons after 1982. They’ve now reached that mark two years in a row and three times in the last six seasons.

“First year in the ACC, reaching the ACC championship game, being in the CFP, it was awesome,” Lashlee said. “Success is really hard to achieve and having back-to-back 11-win seasons is tough. That’s something that’s never been done here.”

The road to 10 wins and another trip into the ACC title game is tougher in 2025. No one on the schedule will be caught sleeping on the Mustangs. They’ve proven they belong. Now, they must prove they can stay. The non-conference schedule includes a home game against Baylor and a trip to rival TCU. The ACC slate includes a trip to Clemson and a home game against Miami, the two betting favorites to win the conference in 2025. SMU didn’t play either in the regular season last year.

Lashlee and his staff spent the offseason fighting against comfortability. The 2024 season was one for the record books and something the SMU fan base will talk about for decades, but it means nothing to the 2025 version of the Ponies. This is a new team, with new faces littered throughout the projected two-deep. SMU may have arrived, but Lashlee doesn’t want his program to be satisfied.

“Sustaining success is hard to do when everyone tells you how good you are and that you’ve made it. It gets real easy to get comfortable,” Lashlee cautioned. “As soon as you get comfortable, you stop progressing, you stop developing, you stop growing, both personally and as a team.”

SMU doesn’t hide from the fact that 2024 was an important marker for the program. Instant success as a Power Four program established bona fides on the national level, and it also raised eyebrows in Dallas, where fans’ attention is hard to keep with multiple professional franchises in the surrounding area. The Mustangs weren’t allowed a seat at the big kid’s table for decades. They bought their way back into the club and were instant winners.

Mention SMU to the average football fan for the past 40 years and the first thing they’ll mention is the Death Penalty. The Ponies hope that their rise to P4 and the success they achieved right away puts that on the backburner. Last season represented a new dawn on the Hilltop. A time where SMU can be known for their on-field accomplishments and not past transgressions. Transgressions that were minor when viewed through the lens of modern NIL and potential revenue sharing.

“The standard of how we play football at SMU has been set,” Lashlee said. “We have to continue to chase that. And the more we chase it, the more we’ll push that standard higher.”

SMU doesn’t plan to be a one-hit wonder. The program has raised the talent level with each passing season as the Ponies improve their high school recruiting footprint. Quarterback Kevin Jennings is back, as is tight end RJ Maryland, who missed the back half of last season with an injury. The offense should score points. The defense must replace a lot of talent and production, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Lashlee thinks that reset should help the 2025 team not rest on last year’s success.

“This is a brand new team that hasn’t accomplished anything yet,” Lashlee said. “Hopefully, that allows us to embrace expectations that no one else put on us last year.”

DCTF Take

Can the Ponies avoid a sophomore slump in the Power Four? Replicating the magical run to the ACC championship and the College Football Playoff is a tough chore for SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee & Co. The schedule includes Clemson and Miami this year, and the non-conference slate involves games against Big 12 contenders Baylor and TCU. Star quarterback Kevin Jennings and a few key offensive linemen do return for Lashlee’s high-scoring attack. The loss of running back Brashard Smith is a concern. Safety Isaiah Nwokobia headlines Scott Symons’ defense that must replace Elijah Roberts up front and linebackers Ahmad Walker and Kobe Wilson.

Offensive Breakdown

Kevin Jennings won his first nine games as the starting quarterback for SMU last year, spearheading the Ponies’ run to the ACC championship and College Football Playoffs in Year 1 as a Power Four program.

Jennings threw for 3,245 yards and accounted for 28 total touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore. Preston Stone, who is now at Northwestern, began last season as the starting quarterback before Jennings took over after the loss to BYU. Jennings, who won a state title at South Oak Cliff, enters 2025 as the clear QB1 and is using the losses to Clemson and Penn State to close the season as fuel.

“I’ve added 11 or 12 pounds to increase my strength and durability,” Jennings said when asked where he’s improved this offseason. “On the field, I’m becoming calmer in the pocket and gaining confidence in those throws.” 

Jennings lost three of his top four receiving targets from last year with Roderick Daniels Jr., Key’Shawn Smith, and Moochie Dixon running out of eligibility. The biggest loss on the offensive side of the ball is running back Brashard Smith, however. The Swiss-army knife ran for 1,332 yards and caught 39 passes while scoring 18 total touchdowns.

The Mustangs are counting on Jordan Hudson (39 catches, 422 yards, 5 touchdowns) and Romello Brinson (13 catches, 135 yards) to be the 1-2 punch at wide receiver. Hudson was a highly regarded recruit who began his career at SMU. Brinson is a former Miami transfer who only played in four regular season games last year. The Ponies signed wide receivers Jalen Cooper and Daylon Singleton in the 2025 class and both of those players looked like instant contributors as early enrollees in the spring.

“It’s the year for (Hudson and Brinson) to step up and reach their full potential,” head coach Rhett Lashlee said of his elder statesman out wide. “If those two guys do that, we have a chance to be really good in the passing game.”

The return of tight end RJ Maryland should also bolster SMU’s passing attack. He caught 24 passes for 359 yards and four touchdowns in seven games prior to a season-ending injury. He’s the fastest pass catcher on the Hilltop and can be split out and play wide receiver, as well. The emergence of former Michigan transfer Matthew Hibner (24 catches, 368 yards, 4 TDs) last year at tight end allows SMU to flex out Maryland or to use two tight ends in a traditional set to create mismatches.

Expect a stable of players to help replace Smith’s production at running back. Redshirt freshman Derrick McFall and Miami transfer Chris Johnson Jr. are the most likely candidates to emerge as the bell cow. Incoming freshman Dramekco Green didn’t arrive until the summer, but he could contribute early on.

SMU returns three starters along the offensive line, including both tackles. Savion Byrd and PJ Williams are proven commodities with experience at the tackle spots. Logan Parr is an all-conference performer at left guard. Arkansas transfer Addison Nichols will start at center. The question mark up front is at right guard. Joshua Bates and Nate Anderson are options. The other is kicking Williams inside if Andrew Chamblee or Zion Nelson prove consistent enough to start at right tackle.

 

Breakout Candidates

RB TJ Harden – SMU added the UCLA transfer to the running back room in the spring transfer window. He arrived in the summer to compete for snaps alongside Derrick McFall and Miami transfer Chris Johnson Jr. Harden led UCLA in rushing last year with 506 yards. 

TE Matthew Hibner – RJ Maryland receives most of the headlines at the tight end position at SMU but Hibner shouldn’t go unnoticed. He’s an old-school, physical tight end who can play with his hand in the dirt at 6-foot-5 and 251 pounds. Lashlee believes he’s an NFL draft pick.  

 

Projected Starters

QB          7               Kevin Jennings                 Jr.             6-0, 185               South Oak Cliff

RB           0               Derrick McFall                 RS-Fr.  5-11, 183            Tyler

WR         3               Romello Brinson           Sr.           6-2, 186               Miami, Fla.      

WR         2               Jordan Hudson               Sr.           6-1, 191               Garland

Flex        82            RJ Maryland                       Sr.           6-4, 237               Southlake Carroll

TE            88            Matthew Hibner             Sr.           6-5, 251               Burke, Va.

LT            54            Savion Byrd                        Sr.           6-5, 304               Duncanville

LG           71            Logan Parr                           Sr.           6-4, 316               San Antonio O’Connor

C              63            Addison Nichols            Jr.             6-5, 323               Norcross, Ga.

RG          69            Nate Anderson                Sr.           6-4, 300               Frisco Reedy

RT            59            PJ Williams                         Jr.             6-5, 317               Dickinson

K               41            Collin Rogers  Sr.           6-4, 219               Prattville, Ala.

Keep an Eye On

SMU is thin at the wide receiver position and are counting on a few true freshmen to make an immediate impact in the passing game. Jordan Hudson is the only returning wide receiver who recorded at least 15 catches last year. Cibolo Steele product Jalen Cooper and DeSoto’s Daylon Singleton were involved in spring practices as early enrollees and both impressed. Carterrious Brown (Arlington Seguin) and Isaiah Robertson (Arlington) arrived in the summer. Cooper was a four-star and a top 250 player in the 2025 recruiting cycle. Singleton was also a four-star recruit. Tight ends will figure heavily into the SMU passing attack.

 

By the Numbers

36.5 – SMU was seventh in the nation and tied for second in Texas with over 36 points scored per game in Year 1 as a Power Four program.

76 – That’s the number of plays over 20-or-more yards for SMU last year, which was 10th-most in America.

319 – Only 11 teams recorded more first downs than the Ponies in 2024. They averaged 22.8 first downs per game.

 

Defensive Breakdown

Defensive coordinator Scott Symons inherited an SMU defense that ranked 84th nationally in scoring defense after allowing 28.4 points in 2021. By 2024, the Mustangs were no longer a one-trick Pony that could score at will but couldn’t stop a sniffle. They ranked 32nd in the FBS while giving up 22.1 points a game on the run to the ACC title game and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Symons remains but the cast of characters who helped transform SMU into one of the best defenses in America are gone. The Mustangs ranked 83rd in the country in returning defensive production at 51%. They lost stars such as Elijah Roberts and Jared Harrison-Hunte on the defensive line, linebackers Ahmad Walker and Kobe Wilson, and multiple-year starters in the secondary such as Jonathan McGill and Cale Sanders Jr.

“We have a whole new defense, but it’s our job as a staff and as players to get ready and be ready for the challenges ahead,” Symons said. “We recruit these guys because we believe in them and we’ll find our best guys and line it up from there.”

Isaiah Smith and Cameron Robertson are the familiar faces at defensive end. The two combined for 15 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks last season as reserves. Smith signed with SMU out of high school as a three-star prospect in 2022 and has appeared in 40 games. Robertson arrived from North Texas in 2023 and has started twice in 28 appearances as a Mustang. SMU also signed four edge rushers in the portal, including Trey Wilson (Baylor) and DJ Warner (Kansas).

The Mustangs also reinforced the interior of the defensive line with four portal additions. Jeffrey M’Ba (Purdue) and Terry Webb (Texas State) are the expected starters at defensive tackle. SMU added William Spencer and Keveion’ta Spears (Memphis) in the spring window, signifying a need for more depth in the trenches.

Alexander Kilgore is the leader of the linebacker unit in his third year on campus. He was a highly touted recruit who waited his turn behind Walker and Wilson for two seasons. East Carolina transfer Zakye Barker was a second-team All-AAC selection last year as a redshirt sophomore after totaling 86 tackles, including a team-high 12 tackles for loss. Justin Medlock and Brandon Booker will compete with Barker for snaps next to Kilgore.

Deuce Harmon returns to start at one cornerback position and deep safeties Isaiah Nwokobia and Ahmad Moses are also back to anchor the secondary. Harmon started nine times last season and recorded eight pass breakups. Nwokobia and Moses combined for 173 tackles and six interceptions.

“Our safeties are experienced players in this system and that should help us with organization with so many new faces,” Symons said. “Hopefully, that helps limit big plays.”

The cornerback position opposite of Harmon is a battle between Jaelyn Davis-Robinson and Syracuse transfer Marcellus Barnes Jr., who didn’t participate in spring ball but arrived on the Hilltop with high expectations. He was the only portal addition in the SMU secondary this offseason.

The starter at nickel was undecided after spring ball. The staff says multiple players are in the running to win the job, including Kyron Chambers, Jaden Milliner-Jones, and La’Modrick Spencer.

Breakout Candidates

DE Jakhi Lang – The Mizzou transfer picked SMU in the spring portal and arrived on the Hilltop this summer to reinforce the depth on the edge and help the Mustangs create pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He recorded three sacks in 12 games last year for the Tigers. 

DB Tyren Polley – The true freshman from Duncanville might already be the third-best safety on the SMU roster. He’ll play snaps this year behind experienced starters in Ahmad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia. They’re both seniors so Polley is considered next up in the safety room.

 

Projected Starters

DE           9               Cameron Robertson  Sr.           6-4, 250               Plano

DT           6               Jeffrey M’Ba     Sr.           6-6, 302               Libreville, Gabon

DT           4               Terry Webb       Sr.           6-3, 314               Galveston Ball

DE           1               Isaiah Smith    Sr.           6-4, 244               Washington, D.C.

MLB       54            Alexander Kilgore         Jr.             6-1, 230               Katy Paetow

WLB      33            Zakye Barker   Jr.             5-10, 225            Norcross, Ga.

NB          21            Kyron Chambers           Jr.             6-0, 201               South Oak Cliff

CB          7               Deuce Harmon               Sr.           5-10, 191            Denton Guyer

CB          8               Marcellus Barnes Jr.  RS-Fr.  6-1,180                Chattanooga, Tenn.

SS           23            Isaiah Nwokobia           Sr.           6-1, 202               Dallas Skyline

FS            3               Ahmad Moses                 Sr.           5-10, 200            Mansfield Summit

P               43            Wade McSparron         RS-Fr.  6-3, 195               Victoria, Australia

 

Keep an Eye On

SMU signed eight defensive linemen between the end of the 2024 season and the start of the summer. Four of those were added following spring practices, which suggested the Mustangs could be worried about the depth and talent level in the trenches. SMU was tremendous up front over the last two years and many of those players were quality transfers from power programs like Miami and Georgia. The new crop of transfers weren’t as highly touted as recruits, but that doesn’t mean they’re not good football players who can replace the lost production from last year.

 

By the Numbers

22.1 – That’s the average number of points SMU allowed last year, which ranked 32nd in the country. It was the top scoring defense in the ACC.

16 – SMU was tied for 14th in interceptions recorded last year. Add six fumble recoveries and the Ponies registered 22 turnovers in 14 games.

43 – The Mustangs tied for the conference lead in sacks on the season with Duke. The 43 sacks were the sixth-most in the FBS.

 

Ceiling

11-1

Exceeding last season’s regular season record would likely punch SMU’s second straight trip to the College Football Playoff. Quarterback Kevin Jennings is firmly in the driver’s seat and the Ponies feel like the overall roster talent has improved in each year under Rhett Lashlee. Beat Baylor and TCU and the Mustangs could be 6-0 against Clemson. 

Floor

6-6

The slate is much tougher for SMU in Year 2 as ACC members. The Ponies face Clemson and Miami in conference after a non-conference grind that includes Baylor and TCU. Home games against Syracuse and Louisville could also end up as coin flips. Bowl eligibility feels like the floor.  

Coach Gossip (150)

“It’ll be interesting to see how they respond because they’ve lost some really good players, but they’re trending well. They’ve recruited some really good players and they’ve done a good job. They’re in on recruits that SMU never used to have a chance with. It’ll be curious to see (in 2025) because they bought a lot of guys for that first ACC run but it doesn’t seem like they did that as much in this offseason. I’m not sure if the money dried up or what but they’re good coaches over there and they’ll continue to be good. That defensive line was one of the best in college football but all those guys are gone and I’m not sure they replaced them with the same type of talent. To me, they’re what they should’ve always been. They’re in the middle of Dallas, they have robust supporters, they have a lot to sell. Rhett does a good job.”

 

2024 RESULTS

Aug. 24                 at Nevada          W, 29-24
Aug. 31                 Houston Christian       W, 59-7
Sept. 6                  BYU                         L, 18-15
Sept. 21               TCU                         W, 66-42
Sept. 28               Florida State   W, 42-16
Oct. 5                     at Louisville     W, 34-27
Oct. 19                 at Stanford        W, 40-10
Oct. 26                 at Duke                W, 28-27 (OT)
Nov. 2                    Pitt         W, 48-25
Nov. 16                 Boston College               W, 38-28
Nov. 23                 at Virginia           W, 33-7
Nov. 30                 Cal         W, 38-6
Dec. 7                    Clemson (ACC Champ.)          L, 34-31
Dec. 21                at Penn State (CFP      L, 38-10
Record: 11-3 (8-0)

 

2025 PREDICTIONS

Aug. 30                 East Texas A&M             W
Sept. 6                  Baylor                    W
Sept. 13               at Missouri State           W
Sept. 20               at TCU                   L
Oct. 4                     Syracuse            W
Oct. 11                 Stanford              W
Oct. 18                 at Clemson      L
Oct. 25                 at Wake Forest                W
Nov. 1                    Miami                    L
Nov. 8                    at Boston College        W
Nov. 22                 Louisville            W
Nov. 29                 at Cal   W
Record: 9-3 (6-2)

Biggest Game

Nov. 1 vs. Miami

The best home schedule for SMU since the glory days of the Southwest Conference includes Baylor, Syracuse, and Louisville, but the headliner is a visit from “The U” to start November. The Mustangs possess plenty of Miami ties, including former Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee and a few transfers.

Trap Game

Oct. 25 at Wake Forest

A trip to North Carolina to face the Demon Deacons and first-year head coach Jake Dickert is the definition of a trap game. The week before, SMU travels to Clemson. The week after, the Ponies host Miami. SMU avoided upsets in the 2024 run to the ACC championship game.  

Upset Bid

Oct. 18 at Clemson

SMU fell to Clemson in the ACC championship game last December on a last-minute field goal in Charlotte and the Tigers enter 2025 as the odds-on favorite to claim the conference crown. The Mustangs travel to face Dabo Swinney midway through the 2025 campaign looking for revenge.