SMU Football: 2025 Mustangs Season Preview and Prediction
SMU should be among the favorites to win the ACC Championship with quarterback Kevin Jennings back. If he takes better care of the ball and the Mustangs find a strong running game again, the offense will be potent. Defensively, the secondary could be much improved, which will have to make up for a defensive line that might not be as deep as it was last year. Nevertheless, head coach Rhett Lashlee's team has all the makings of a strong College Football Playoff contender. Expectations should be high.
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[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 College Football Preview print magazine. Order your copy today online, or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]
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SMU 2025 Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing SMU's Offense for 2025
SMU's offense rolled last year once Kevin Jennings was inserted as the starting quarterback. Jennings enters this season as a Heisman Trophy dark horse and with almost an entire year of starting experience running the show. With his ability to extend plays, SMU's offense should be dynamic again, if he can cut down on the turnovers in bigger games. He committed a combined five turnovers against Clemson and Penn State in the final two games of the season.
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Replacing Brashard Smith (1,332 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns) will fall on unproven players like redshirt freshman Derrick McFall, Miami (Fla.) transfer Chris Johnson Jr., UCLA transfer TJ Harden and true freshman Dramekco Green.
There's little proven production from the running backs, so the SMU passing attack, led by contributors like wide receivers Jordan Hudson and Romello Brinson and tight ends RJ Maryland and Matthew Hibner, will need to start fast.
Mustangs QB Kevin Jennings | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Previewing SMU's Defense for 2025
SMU's defense lost a slew of production and talent off last year's elite group. The question will be whether key transfers and a handful of veteran returners can keep the unit among the nation's best after the Mustangs ranked 26th nationally in total defense (326 ypg).
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Led by talented pass-rushers like Isaiah Smith and Cameron Robertson, SMU has proven talent on the edge, while interior defensive linemen like Jeffrey M'ba, Terry Webb and Jonathan Jefferson are sturdy.
At linebacker, Alexander Kilgore looks like he could emerge as a star after posting 56 tackles last season. Ahmaad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia form one of the top safety tandems in the country, while the cornerback group will need Deuce Harmon to elevate his game.
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee© Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Previewing SMU's Specialists for 2025
Placekicker Collin Rogers emerged as a weapon for the Mustangs, setting the program record for most made field goals in a single season in converting 24-of-33 attempts. Seven of those were from 50 yards or more, another SMU record. Punter Wade McSparron and long-snapper Morgan Tribett are new, as are the punt and kickoff returners.
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National Ranking: 24
More ACC team previews
Boston College | California | Clemson | Duke | Florida State
Georgia Tech | Louisville | Miami | North Carolina | NC State
Pitt | Stanford | Syracuse | Virginia | Virginia Tech | Wake Forest
Related: ACC Football 2025 Predictions
Related: College Football Rankings: Projecting the Top 25 Teams for 2025
Related: Athlon Sports 2025 College Football Preview Magazine Available Now
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
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