The portal is technically closed and most of the top players that entered have found new homes ahead of the spring semester. We’ll break down each of the 13 FBS portal classes across the state of Texas, continuing with SMU. The Mustangs have won 31 games over the last three seasons and are 14-2 in two years as ACC members. 

Overview

SMU was improving its roster through the transfer portal before it was cool, dating to Sonny Dykes’ time as the head coach. Rhett Lashlee, who is about to enter Year 5 as head coach of the Ponies, was an offensive coordinator at SMU under Dykes and has continued that tradition, though his program’s success has allowed for better prep recruiting and less reliance on portal targets. The main priority in the current transfer cycle was to reload the skill positions around returning QB Kevin Jennings while injecting more talent and depth onto the defensive two-deep. 
Class Grade: B

Three Key Additions

RB Kendrick Raphael, Cal: SMU is replacing its two leading rushers from 2025 and Raphael comes in from Cal to pair with sophomore Derrick McFall and redshirt freshman Dramekco Green. Raphael was an honorable mention All-ACC running back in 2025 after rushing for 13 touchdowns and gaining 1,084 all-purpose yards. The 5-11, 200-pound senior started his career at NC State and is a Florida native. He started 11 times for Cal. 

DT Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder, Kansas State: A massive 6-foot-6, 305-pound defensive tackle who can demand double teams and win the point of attack in the middle of the SMU defense. Alcorn-Crowder played in 12 games last year for the Wildcats, racking up 17 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. His impact isn’t measured in the box score, however. He’ll help the Mustang linebackers roam free and make plays by occupying blockers at the point of attack. 

TE Randy Pittman, Florida State: Pittman is one of three tight ends SMU added and each of them could end up as impact players. Pittman caught 23 passes for 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns in 2025. He snagged 32 balls for 416 yards and two scores in a breakout 2024 campaign. Lashlee’s offense utilizes the tight end on nearly every play and must replace Matthew Hibner and RJ Maryland from the position unit. 

Two Sleepers

DE Marques White, UMass: White is arriving from possibly the worst program currently in the FBS, but that doesn’t mean he can’t help the Mustangs in 2025. He’s played seven seasons of college football, starting his career at Dartmouth before stops at McNeese State and UMass. He posted 50 tackles, including 11 for loss and five sacks last year. He also broke up two passes and recovered a pair of fumbles. SMU loses its most productive pass rushers – Cameron Robertson and Isaiah Smith – from 2025 to graduation. 

WR Yannick Smith, East Carolina: The Mustangs possess a young core of future star receivers, but it was important to add some experience to the mix heading into 2026. Smith was a two-year starter at ECU, catching 44 passes for 583 yards in 2025 as a sophomore. He logged 25 receptions for 434 yards as a freshman in 2024. The 6-foot-3, 207-pound junior has a big body that SMU can exploit on third down and in the red zone. 

Transfer List

• RB Kendrick Raphael, Cal 
• WR Yannick Smith, East Carolina
• WR Jalen Hale, Alabama 
• TE Theo Melin-Ohstrom, Texas A&M 
• TE Randy Pittman, Florida State 
• TE Trey Jackson, Texas Tech 
• DE Ira Singleton, South Florida
• DE Marques White, UMass 
• DL Christian Davis, La Tech 
• DL Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder, Kansas State 
• LB Jamal Anderson, Clemson 
• LB Caden Marshall, Bowling Green
• CB Jarvis Lee, South Florida
• S Jimmy Wyrick, UTSA 
• K Nick Reed, New Hampshire