SMU rolled through the ACC in the first year as Power Four members, reaching the conference championship game and the College Football Playoff. The Ponies hope to keep the momentum going after winning 22 games over the past two seasons. They’ve reached double-digit wins in three of the past six seasons and only trail UTSA and Texas in wins since the start of the decade. 

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football stopped by the Hilltop on our 2025 summer magazine tour to speak with head coach Rhett Lashlee and defensive coordinator Scott Symons. Here are some news and notes from those talks. 

Previous stops: Baylor | North Texas 

OFFENSE 

• Kevin Jennings enters an offseason as the unquestioned leader of the Mustangs for the first time. Last year, he was in a QB battle with Preston Stone. “I think he’s taken to that role and not changed who he is. He’s an extremely hard worker,” says Lashlee. Jennings put on 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason to help endure the physicality of the season.
• Redshirt freshman Derrick McFall was the first name mentioned at running back. Lashlee says he has a chance to be special. He thinks there are stylistic similarities between McFall and Brashard Smith, who was a breakout star for the Ponies in 2023 after transferring from Miami. McFall isn’t as big or experienced, but he’s a versatile weapon. 
• The Miami connection has paid dividends for Lashlee, who was an offensive coordinator for the Hurricanes before taking over as head coach on the Hilltop. The Ponies dipped into the pipeline again for speedy running back Chris Johnson Jr. Speed. Speed. Speed. 
• True freshman Dramekco Green won’t arrive until June but Lashlee thinks the big back from Conroe can add some size and power to the run game. LJ Johnson is out this spring. 
• Jaylan Knighton and Camar Wheaton are no longer on the team after missing last year to injury and that means SMU is likely to add one more running back in the spring portal window. 
• Tight end RJ Maryland is expected to start running routes in the summer as he continues to rehab from a torn ACL suffered in a win over Stanford last year. Lashlee says he’s the fastest pass catcher on the team and provides offensive versatility because he can play wide receiver, as well. Matthew Hibner can play the traditional tight end spot, but he’s out for the spring. Adam Moore is the third name to know at tight end. 
• Romello Brunson and Jordan Hudson are back to be the top receiver targets for Jennings. Brunson was injured last year, which gave him another year of eligibility. “It’s the year for them to step up and reach their full potential,” Lashlee said of his two senior receivers. “And if those two guys do that, we have a chance to be really good in the pass game.” 
• Lashlee will need some young receivers to step up and Jalen Cooper, a true freshman from Cibolo Steele, is impressing during his first spring on campus. DeSoto’s Daylon Singleton and his ability to run was also highlighted. Carterrious Brown (Arlington Seguin) and Isaiah Robertson (Arlington) arrive in the summer and will be given every opportunity to compete for snaps as true freshmen. Link Rhodes is another name to monitor over the summer. 
• Lashlee called the offensive line the most improved and stable position group on the offense. Logan Parr is back to start at left guard, as are tackles Savion Byrd, PJ Williams, and Andrew Chamblee. The biggest improvement might be at center with Joshua Bates and Addison Nichols transferring in. The one who doesn’t play center likely starts at right guard. The Mustangs feel like Nate Anderson has come along to provide more depth on the interior of the offensive line. 

DEFENSE 

• SMU is breaking in a ton of new faces on defense for coordinator Scott Symons. The losses on the defensive line include potential NFL draft picks Elijah Roberts on the edge and Jared Harrison-Hunte on the interior. Both starting linebackers – Ahmad Walker and Kobe Wilson – are gone. As are defensive backs Jonathan McGill, Cale Sanders Jr. and Brandon Crossley. 
• The familiar faces at the defensive end positions are Cam Robertson and Isaiah Smith. Symons said Baylor transfer Trey Wilson is getting better every day and that Kansas transfer DJ Warner has some serious twitch. Warner just needs to continue to develop in the weight room. He wants to see growth from Billy Walton and David Abiara just needs some reps after dealing with injuries. 
• Texas State transfer Terry Webb has been the most productive interior defensive lineman during the spring so far. Purdue transfer Jeffrey M’Ba was said to possess a ton of potential. The concern is for Jonathan Jefferson’s health. Symons says he’ll be out for an extended period and it is not a given that he plays in 2025. Kevin Allen has added weight and Mike Sandjo-Njiki is “the best version of himself.” 
• Alexander Kilgore is expected to become the leader of the linebacker room. He’s got the alpha dog personality and it is about getting the rest of the guys on the same page at that position. The three names competing for snaps next to Kilgore are Zakye Barker, Brandon Brown, and Justin Medlock. Symons says he’s seen bright spots from each but is hoping for more consistency from the group. 
• Deuce Harmon and Smoke Davis-Robinson were the first two names mentioned at corner. Syracuse transfer Marcellus Barnes Jr. isn’t participating in spring but it is a player that Symons says the staff has high hopes for in 2025. AJ Davis and freshman Javion Holiday were also mentioned. 
• Isaiah Nwokobia and Ahmad Moses are back at safety. Symons likes the experience in the secondary. Guys like Robert Rahimi and Abdul Muhammad can compete for snaps. Expect Kyron Chambers and Jaden Milliner-Jones to be competing at nickel.