Latest news with #KevinJennings
Washington Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
History shows there is no ‘right time' for civil rights litigation
Kevin Jennings is the chief executive of Lambda Legal and co-counsel in U.S. v. Skrmetti. Following the recent Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v. Skrmetti upholding Tennessee's restrictions on transgender youths' access to health care, Monday morning quarterbacks have criticized our decision to litigate the matter. These critiques ignore our nation's history, which teaches a basic fact: It is never the right time for civil rights in America.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
SMU Football: 2025 Mustangs Season Preview and Prediction
SMU Football: 2025 Mustangs Season Preview and Prediction originally appeared on Athlon Sports. 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. Advertisement [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.] 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 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. Advertisement 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). Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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.
Business Wire
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Cashmere Announces College Investing Class of 2025
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Cashmere Fund (Ticker: CSHMX), a next-generation venture fund making startup investing more accessible, today announced its College Investing Class of 2025, marking the first-ever NIL partnership of its kind. Three rising-star Division I quarterbacks have invested in the fund and partnered with the Fund's subadviser, Cashmere LLC (Cashmere). The Investing Class includes: LaNorris Sellers: As a quarterback at the University of South Carolina, Sellers is known for his strong arm, athleticism, and leadership potential as he rises within the SEC ranks. A highly touted recruit out of high school, he's part of a new generation of athletes building their profile both on and off the field. Kevin Jennings: As a quarterback at Southern Methodist University (SMU), Jennings has earned recognition for his leadership, playmaking ability, and commitment to excellence on and off the field. A standout in the American Athletic Conference, he continues to build momentum as a key contributor to SMU's success. Avery Johnson: As a quarterback at Kansas State University, Johnson has emerged as one of college football's most exciting young talents, recognized for his dual-threat ability and leadership. A former Elite 11 finalist and top-ranked recruit, he's establishing himself as a rising force within the Big 12. 'Part of investing in venture capital is pursuing things that have never been done before. Completing Cashmere's first-ever NIL deal is consistent with that legacy,' said Elia Infascelli, CEO of Cashmere. 'In recent years, athletes have begun using their platforms for influence beyond their sport and at younger ages. We're excited to partner with three talented young men who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the emerging NIL space.' The three quarterbacks will join Cashmere's growing network of influential partners, which includes 2025 NFL MVP Josh Allen, fashion entrepreneur Jenna Lyons, and Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. They will work with The Cashmere Fund to support awareness of the fund and its portfolio companies, tout the upside potential of the venture capital asset class to their networks, and gain firsthand venture investment experience. Jordon Rooney, CEO of Jaster Athletes, advised Cashmere on the formation of the partnership. About The Cashmere Fund The Cashmere Fund (Ticker: CSHMX), an evergreen interval fund, seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation through an actively managed portfolio of private, early-stage venture capital investments. The Fund's portfolio managers seek to leverage their networks of influence in the sports and entertainment industries to further compound and accelerate growth in the Fund's portfolio companies. Learn more about The Cashmere Fund at The Fund has paid partnerships with LaNorris Sellers, Kevin Jennings, and Avery Johnson.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
SMU Surges to No. 14 in ESPN's Future Power Rankings
SMU Surges to No. 14 in ESPN's Future Power Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The days of SMU being a college football afterthought are over. Following a headline-grabbing 2024 season that saw the Mustangs storm into the ACC, make it to the conference title, and crash the College Football Playoff, ESPN's Future Power Rankings now place SMU at No. 14 nationally, a dramatic rise from their No. 22 spot just a year ago. Advertisement This ranking isn't just a pat on the back. It's a statement: SMU's resurgence is real, and its foundation is strong enough to last. At the center of SMU's ascension is redshirt junior Kevin Jennings, who returns for a possible two more seasons. While his CFP debut against Penn State was rocky, throwing three interceptions, his overall numbers paint a different picture: 3,245 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and five rushing scores in 2024. ESPN cites the 'very likely' stability of Jennings at quarterback through 2026 as a major reason for the Mustangs' rise. With offensive coordinator Casey Woods and quarterbacks coach D'Eriq King returning, the continuity around Jennings is a rare asset in today's transfer-heavy landscape. Though SMU's offense grabs the headlines, their defensive line is quietly elite. Returning edge rushers Cameron Robertson and Isaiah Smith combined for 14 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 2024, while Purdue transfer Jeffrey M'Ba brings SEC size and experience to the interior. Advertisement The offensive line is just as formidable. PJ Williams and Logan Parr, both third-team All-ACC selections, return alongside Savion Byrd, with Arkansas transfer Addison Nichols adding depth. Even with the loss of elite quarterback recruit Keelon Russell to Alabama, SMU reeled in ESPN's No. 30 recruiting class for 2025. Coach Rhett Lashlee's staff has balanced retention and portal additions better than most Power Four programs, reinforcing weak spots without overhauling the core. Defensively, All-ACC safety Isaiah Nwokobia and playmaker Ahmaad Moses lead a unit filled with future pros. ESPN noted that while SMU lost some defensive depth, they have 'others ready for bigger roles.' With ACC competition leveling up and College Football Playoff expansion rewarding depth and consistency, SMU is built to thrive. The only looming question: Can the Mustangs keep Lashlee long-term, as SEC programs circle? Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee looks Miron-Imagn Images One thing is certain, SMU isn't just participating in the Power Four era. They're pushing to lead it. Advertisement Mustang fans, it's time to lean in. The next two seasons could define the modern identity of SMU football. Don't miss a moment, because for the first time in decades, the nation is watching Dallas. Related: Former NFL Kicker and SMU Great Unexpectedly Dies at 65 Related: SMU's Rhett Lashlee Admits the College Football Playoff Made an Error This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
SEC Blue Blood Accused of Tampering With SMU QB Kevin Jennings
SEC Blue Blood Accused of Tampering With SMU QB Kevin Jennings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In a college football world where player loyalty is under constant siege, the latest bombshell out of Dallas is hitting Mustang fans where it hurts. Advertisement According to On3's Billy Embody, the Alabama Crimson Tide, yes, that Alabama, allegedly tried to lure SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings into the transfer portal this offseason. The move, if true, would represent a stunning case of potential tampering by a national powerhouse targeting one of college football's most electric young quarterbacks. The speculation caught fire after Jennings' name was notably absent from the Manning Passing Academy list, despite his breakout 2024 season. Alabama's Ty Simpson wasincluded, a curious detail that Embody called out on social media. 'Alabama tried to recruit Kevin Jennings into the transfer portal to take over for Milroe, but sure, Ty Simpson deserves a notable mention over Kevin Jennings,' Embody wrote. Jennings, the 6-foot dual-threat phenom from Dallas, is coming off a jaw-dropping campaign in which he threw for 3,245 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for another 354 yards and five scores. More importantly, he led the Mustangs to an 11-3 record, an ACC Championship appearance, and their first-ever College Football Playoff berth. His return was expected to catapult SMU into the national conversation once again in 2025. Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) throws the ball during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Carchietta-Imagn Images Instead, fans are left wondering: Did Alabama try to take that future away? Advertisement While Jennings reaffirmed his commitment to SMU just days before their playoff loss to Penn State, questions now loom about how widespread these types of backdoor recruitment efforts truly are. Jennings has not directly commented on the report, but his actions speak volumes. Still, in today's Wild West of NIL deals and unchecked transfer portal manipulation, such stories are becoming all too common. Power programs like Alabama, equipped with deep-pocketed boosters and national brands can, and often do, turn Group of Five stars into targets. This isn't the first time Alabama has faced such accusations either. Just last year, the Tide were reportedly linked to Miami (OH) kicker Graham Nicholson before those whispers faded from the headlines. If these allegations hold water, the NCAA may soon find itself under renewed pressure to implement stricter tampering rules, though enforcement remains a pipe dream to many. Advertisement For SMU fans, the message is clear: Kevin Jennings stayed true. But the vultures are circling, and college football's transfer culture shows no signs of slowing down. Related: ESPN analyst has words for SMU Football's playoff credibility Related: SMU Football Makes Underrated Hire After Playoff Season This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
