SMU announces 2024 signing class (with Rhett Lashlee video)

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VIDEO: SMU football head coach Rhett Lashlee met the media Wednesday to discuss the Mustangs' 2024 signing class.



DALLAS (SMU) – SMU Football celebrated the signing of its incoming class on Wednesday for the 2024 season.

All incoming student-athletes from high school have officially signed their National Letter of Intent (NLI) while transfers have signed their athletic aid grant to continue their academic and athletic careers with the Mustangs.

TRANSFER SIGNEES

Omari Abor | 6-3 | Sophomore | DL | Duncanville, Texas | Ohio State / Duncanville HS

AT OHIO STATE: Appeared in five games as true sophomore in 2023 … did not play as a freshman in 2022.

HIGH SCHOOL: A top-100 prospect regardless of position and the nation's No 6-ranked defensive end … selected to the Under Armour All-America Game … named to the 2021 Whataburger Super Team by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … was a finalist for the Maxwell Football Club Defensive National High School Player of the Year … helped Duncanville to a 13-2 record and Class 6A Division I state runner-up finish … had seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks against nationally ranked Galena Park North Shore in the state title game.

Nate Anderson | 6-4 | Redshirt Junior | OL | Frisco, Texas | Oklahoma / Rick Reedy HS

AT OKLAHOMA: Saw action in all 12 games, primarily on special teams and in a reserve role on the offensive line … An Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree and played in four games in 2022 … did not play in 2021 … redshirted in 2020.

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals … an Under Armour All-American … invited to The Opening … rated as the No. 66 recruit in the country by 247Sports, No. 67 by ESPN and No. 169 by Rivals … touted as the No. 2 offensive guard by 247Sports ... rated as the No. 9 offensive tackle by ESPN and No. 17 by Rivals … ranked the No. 9 prospect in the state of Texas by 247 Sports, No. 13 by ESPN and No. 23 by Rivals.

Anthony Booker Jr. | 6-4 | Redshirt Senior | DL | Cincinnati, Ohio | Arkansas / Maryland / Winton Woods HS

AT ARKANSAS: Appeared in 11 games in 2023 at Arkansas … recorded 19 tackles (seven solo) … notched two TFLs on the year … has played in 41 career games at two schools … has 65 career tackles.

HIGH SCHOOL: Consensus three-star recruit across all recruiting outlets … Second-team all-state selection … Cincinnati Enquirer Division II Defensive Player of the Year as a senior … As a sophomore racked up 40 tackles and 3.5 sacks … Chose Maryland over Rutgers, Pitt, Kentucky and Indiana.

Blake Burris | 6-5 | Sophomore | DL | Irving, Texas | Texas Tech / Parish Episcopal

AT TEXAS TECH: Played two seasons with the Red Raiders … had two tackles in three games in 2023 … appeared in all 13 games as a redshirt freshman in 2022 primarily on special teams.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Parish Episcopal High School in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex ... honors included TAPPS State Champion in 2019 and TAPPS First Team all-state selection ... previously attended Irving MacArthur High School prior to his senior season ... considered a three-star prospect by 247Sports, On3 and ESPN as part of the 2020 class ... attended Air Force Prep out of high school.

Savion Byrd | 6-5 | Redshirt Sophomore | OL | Cedar Hill, Texas | Oklahoma / Duncanville HS

AT OKLAHOMA: Played in nine games and made four starts at left guard in 2023 … started each of season's first three games vs. Arkansas, SMU, and Tulsa (9/16) … saw limited action over next four games after injury in game at Tulsa and returned to starting lineup at Kansas.

HIGH SCHOOL: Consensus four-star recruit and top-125 national prospect ... rated by ESPN as the No. 29 overall player in the 2020 class, No. 81 by 247Sports and No. 116 by Rivals ... ranked as the nation's No. 4 offensive guard by 247Sports ... the No. 5 offensive tackle by ESPN and No. 15 by Rivals ... regarded as the No. 4 player in Texas by ESPN, No. 12 by 247Sports and No. 17 by Rivals ... a 2021 Under Armour All-America Game and Polynesian Bowl selection ... helped Duncanville to 10-2 record and Class 6A Division I semifinals as a senior in 2020 ... Panthers posted 15-1 records and state-runner-up finishes his sophomore and junior seasons ... played offensive tackle as a sophomore before being used predominantly as a defensive lineman as a junior ... moved back to offensive tackle as a senior ... born in Atlanta and moved to Texas in eighth grade ... didn't start playing football until ninth grade.

Ashton Cozart | 6-3 | Redshirt Freshman | WR | Flower Mound, Texas | Oregon / Marcus HS

AT OREGON: Did not play in 2023 at Oregon.

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 93 player in the class of 2023 by Sports Illustrated … A four-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and in the 247Sports composite and a three-star prospect by Rivals … Ranked a top-100 player nationally by ESPN (No. 94), a top-200 player in the 247Sports composite (No. 163), and a top-250 player by 247Sports (No. 208) … Rated a top-30 wide receiver in the country by ESPN (No. 18), in the 247Sports composite (No. 26) and by 247Sports (No. 27) and top-75 at the position by Rivals (No. 64) … Rated a top-20 player in Texas by ESPN (No. 16), a top-50 player in the state in the 247Sports composite (No. 34) and 247Sports (No. 37) and a top-100 player by Rivals (No. 87) … A consensus top-15 wide receiver in Texas, peaking as the fifth-ranked player at the position by ESPN.

Deuce Harmon | 5-10 | Junior | DB | Corinth, Texas | Texas A&M / Denton Guyer HS

AT TEXAS A&M: Appeared in 27 games, making 11 starts in three seasons at Texas A&M … Has played in 11 games, making six starts in 2023... Broke up a pass in the season-opening win over New Mexico ... Had three tackles and broke up a pass in his first start of the season while helping the defense hold the War Hawks to less than 100 passing yards ... Broke up a pass in the win over Auburn ... Made a pair of tackles against Alabama ... Had four takedowns at Tennessee ... Made a pair of tackles and picked off a pass in the win over Mississippi State ... Had three tackles and two breakups against ACU ... Tallied three tackles and broke up a pass at LSU.

HIGH SCHOOL: Was a two-sport athlete, playing football and running track ... Was a first-team all-district selection at both cornerback and returner as a senior ... First-team all-district as a junior as Guyer went 14-2 and was the Texas 6A D-II state runner-up ... Named the District 5-6A Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore … Named a consensus 4-star recruit by 247 Sports, Rivals & ESPN.

Jahfari Harvery | 6-4 | Redshirt Junior | DL | Port St. Lucie, Fla. | Miami / Vero Beach HS

AT MIAMI: Has recorded 10.5 career sacks in 50 games for Miami, started in 18 … recorded one interception and one defensive touchdown in 2021.

HIGH SCHOOL: Consensus four-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com…Rated No. 11 defensive end and No. 23 player in Florida by Rivals.com…Listed as No. 17 player at position and No. 36 in Florida by 247Sports.com…No. 212 on Top247 by 247Sports.com…Ranked No. 47 at position and No. 56 in Florida by ESPN.com…Helped lead Vero Beach to 2018 Class 6A regional semifinal.

Jonathan Jefferson | 6-3 | Redshirt Junior | DL | Douglasville, Ga. | Georgia / Douglas County HS

AT GEORGIA: Appeared in seven games for Georgia in 2023 and 13 in three seasons.

HIGH SCHOOL: 247Sports.com composite four-star prospect…ranked as the #13 strong side defensive end in the country, the #15 prospect in Georgia, and the #149 overall prospect nationally…PrepStar Magazine four-star prospect, Top 150 Dream Team…ranked as the #10 SDE prospect, #10 prospect in Georgia, and #95 prospect nationally…rivals.com four-star prospect…ranked as the #13 defensive tackle nationally, and the #17 prospect in Georgia…ESPN.com four-star prospect…ranked as the #16 defensive end in the nation, the #19 prospect in Georgia, and the #150 prospect in the nation… as a senior in 2020, he led Douglasville HS with 19 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks in just 11 games…in his four-year varsity career he has recorded 254 total tackles, 51 tackles for loss, and 41 sacks.

Mike Lockhart | 6-4 | Redshirt Sophomore | DL | Birmingham, Ala. | West Virginia / Georgia Tech / Huffman HS

AT WEST VIRGINIA: Appeared in 24 games the past two seasons at West Virginia … had 2.5 sacks in 2023 … finished with a season-high two tackles four times this year … played at Georgia Tech from 2019-21.

AT GEORGIA TECH: Played in 25 games in three seasons from 2019-21 … recorded 28 tackles … had 0.5 sacks.

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and Rivals and No. 17 player in the state of Alabama by Rivals … A basketball standout for much of his high-school career, did not begin playing football until senior season … recorded 37 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks during his lone season of football, en route to all-city recognition.

Justin Medlock | 6-0 | Redshirt Freshman | LB | Missouri City, Texas | Utah / Manvel HS

AT UTAH: Appeared in 15 games over two seasons at Utah … recorded seven tackles as a redshirt freshman in 2023.

HIGH SCHOOL: Three-star linebacker and three-year starter at Manvel HS … helped Manvel to the Class 5A Division I regional semifinal in 2021 … finalist for the 2021 Whataburger Super Team … earned all-district first-team honors following his sophomore season … as a senior in 2021, recorded 97 tackles (12 TFL), 3.5 sacks, two PBU and a forced fumble … Tallied 21 tackles (five TFL), two sacks and a pick-six during an injury-shortened junior campaign … had 117 tackles (eight TFL), 3.5 sacks, five PBU and two fumble recoveries as a sophomore in 2019.

Isaac Pearson | 6-2 | Redshirt Freshman | P | Newcastle, Australia | Texas / University of Newcastle

AT TEXAS: Played in one game in 2022 … a four-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (spring 2021, fall 2021, spring 2022, fall 2022).

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated as the No. 3 punter in the 2021 class by 247Sports and No. 1 in Australia … previously played Australian rules football until 19 years old then moved to Melbourne, Australia, to train in American football … trained with Prokick Australia … joins former punter Ryan Bujcevski and 2017 Ray Guy Award winner Michael Dickson as Prokick Australia alums to sign with Texas ... completed an apprenticeship as a mechanic in a coal mine … plans to major in psychology after studying it at the University of Newcastle ... a member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (spring 2021).

Brashard Smith | 5-10 | Junior | ATH | Richmond Heights, Fla. | Miami / Miami Palmetto HS

AT MIAMI: Appeared in 35 games at Miami … 2023 All-ACC Second Team as a specialist … recorded 69 receptions for 770 yards and four touchdowns … has 18 rushes for 177 yards and one touchdown with the Hurricanes … has one kick return for a touchdown … finished with 1946 all-purpose yards in three seasons at Miami.

HIGH SCHOOL: A consensus four-star prospect by 247Sports, ESPN and Rivals…Ranked the No. 158 overall player in the Rivals Top 250… Rated the No. 24 wide receiver nationally and No. 25 player in Florida by Rivals…Listed as the No. 193 player in the 247Sports Top247…Ranked the No. 29 wide receiver in the country and No. 24 player in Florida by 247Sports…Rated the No. 62 wide receiver nationally and No. 64 player in Florida by ESPN…Selected to the Under Armour All-America Game and the U.S. Army All-American Bowl…As a junior, caught 36 passes for 628 yards and 13 touchdowns…High school teammate of fellow #2rings1chain signee Leonard Taylor…Chose Miami over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Boston College, Cincinnati, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, LSU, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, South Carolina, USF, Syracuse, Tennessee, Washington State and West Virginia, among others.

HIGH SCHOOL SIGNEES

Tyler Aronson | 6-2 | QB | Vero Beach, Fla. | Vero Beach HS

RATING INFORMATION
Rated a four-star prospect by Rivals, three-star prospect by ESPN, 247 Sports and On3.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
Four-year varsity starter at QB, led team to the playoffs all four seasons, threw for over 7,000 yards during high-school career.

SENIOR (2023): Helped lead team to 9-3 record … passed for 2,077 yards … finished with 23 passing touchdowns … rushed for 234 yards and four touchdowns … averaged 173.1 yards passing.

JUNIOR (2022): Led team to 11-2 record … passed for 1,683 yards … tossed 21 touchdowns against seven interceptions … averaged 187.0 yards passing … ran for 100 yards and three scores.

SOPHOMORE (2021): Led North Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School to a regional final appearance in the 3A playoffs as a sophomore … in 12 games, completed 154 passes for 2,177 yards with 29 TD to go against five interceptions … nominated for The Palm Beach Post's All-County Offensive Player of the Year Award.

FRESHMAN (2020): Played on varsity at North Palm Beach (Fla.) The Benjamin School.

HIGH SCHOOL ACCOLADES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Participated in the FBU Freshman All-American Bowl … Adidas Freshman All-American.

Chose SMU over Appalachian State, Eastern Kentucky, Florida A&M and Florida Atlantic.

Brandon Booker | 6-1 | LB | DeSoto, Texas | DeSoto HS

RATING INFORMATION
A consensus three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, 247 Sport and On3.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
SENIOR (2023): Helped lead team to Class 6A Division II State Championship … recorded 117 total tackles (51 solo) … averaged 7.8 tackles per game … notched 16 TFLs … finished with four sacks … tallied two interceptions … had one defensive touchdown.

JUNIOR (2022): Helped lead team to Class 6A Division II State Championship.

SOPHOMORE (2021): Had 35 total tackles (eight solo) … forced two fumbles … averaged 8.8 tackles per game.

HIGH SCHOOL ACCOLADES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2023 Whataburger Super Team selection … two-time State Champion … 2022 Texas District 11-6A First-Team selection … Texas Sportswriters Association (TSWA) Class 6A First Team All-State selection.

Chose SMU over Stanford, Baylor, Arkansas and Auburn.

Ka'Davion Dotson-Walker I 5-11 | DB | Duncanville, Texas | Duncanville HS

RATING INFORMATION
A consensus three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, 247 Sport and On3.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
SENIOR (2023): Helped lead Duncanville to back-to-back Class 6A Division I State Titles … recorded 72 total tackles (46 solo) … had three TFLs … broke up five passes … hauled in an interception … recovered one fumble.

HIGH SCHOOL ACCOLADES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2023 Whataburger Super Team selection … two-time State Champion.

Chose SMU over Texas, LSU, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas among others.

King Large I 6-5 I OT I Bellflower, Calif. I St. John Bosco HS

RATING INFORMATION
Rated a three-star prospect by 247 Sports, Rivals, On3, and ESPN.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
Played snaps at multiple offensive lineman spots … helped St. John Bosco to a 13-1 record, and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Division 1 Championship and a CIF bowl victory as a junior in 2022.

HIGH SCHOOL ACCOLADES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Three-time All-State First Team selection from sophomore to senior year … 2022 Undisputed National Champion … 2023 Trinity League Champion.

Chose SMU over Oregon, California, South Florida, Colorado State among others.

Derrick McFall I 5-11 | WR/RB | Tyler, Texas I Tyler HS

RATING INFORMATION
Rated a four-star prospect by 247 Sports and ESPN, three-star prospect by Rivals and On3.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
SENIOR (2023): Had 1,225 all-purpose yards … recorded 818 yards receiving … ran for 128 yards … scored 12 touchdowns … passed for 92 yards and one touchdown.

JUNIOR (2022): Texas District 7-5A First-Team Selection as a utility player … 2021 First-Team All-District selection at wide receiver … hauled in 48 receptions for 818 yards and nine touchdowns this season, while rushing 16 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Threw four passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Caught 18 receptions for 226 yards, carried the ball 44 times for 218 yards in 2022 and passed 57 times for 445 yards and four touchdowns.

SOPHOMORE (2021): Threw for 452 yards and rushed 60 times for 531 yards and eight touchdowns. Caught 26 receptions for 531 yards and four touchdowns and added two kick return touchdowns.

HIGH SCHOOL ACCOLADES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2022 Texas District 7-5A First-Team Selection as a utility player … 2021 First-Team All-District selection at wide receiver.

Also plays basketball and runs track … experience in a variety of offensive roles, including running back, receiver, and quarterback.

Chose SMU over Alabama, Louisville, UCLA, Arkansas, among others.

Jaylen Moses I 5-10 | S I Carrollton, Texas I Newman Smith HS

RATING INFORMATION
Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN, 247 Sports, and On3.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
SENIOR (2023): Had eight tackles in two games.

JUNIOR (2022): Recorded 78 tackles (60 solo) … had nine pass break ups … totaled three TFLs … two fumble recoveries.

HIGH SCHOOL ACCOLADES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Chose SMU over Washington State, Tulane, and others.

William "Speedy" Nettles I 6-0 | WR/DB I Mesquite, Texas I Dallas Christian School

RATING INFORMATION
Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, 247 Sports, and On3.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
Experience playing multiple positions including wide receiver and cornerback. Recorded 141 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 10 interceptions, and 18 pass break ups in three seasons.

SENIOR (2023): Recorded 1,784 yards receiving and 18 touchdowns at receiver … averaged 127.4 receiving … caught 83 passes … had 32 total tackles (28 solo) as a defensive back … notched two interceptions … one caused fumble and fumble recovery.

JUNIOR (2022): Recorded 1,463 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns … averaged 112.5 yards receiving … had 1,463 all-purpose yards … totaled 42 tackles (37 solo) as a defensive back … tallied six interceptions … two fumble recoveries.

SOPHOMORE (2021): Finished with 85 yards receiving … had 67 total tackles (46 solo) … tallied two interceptions.

HIGH SCHOOL ACCOLADES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Three-time State Champion … three-time All-State selection at defensive back and wide receiver … named district MVP as a junior.

Chose SMU over Nebraska, Purdue, Baylor, and Boston College.

Alexander Rodgers I 5-10 I DB | Dallas, Texas I Cedar Hill HS

RATING INFORMATION
Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, 247 Sports, and On3.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
SENIOR (2023): Transferred from Kimball High School to Cedar Hill … Tallied 10 total tackles … had three pass breakups.

SOPHOMORE (2021): Had 18 total tackles (13 solo) … recorded two interceptions … forced one fumble.

HIGH SCHOOL ACCOLADES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Chose SMU over Baylor, Texas Tech, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State.

Zach Smith I 6-1 | LB I Red Oak, Texas I Red Oak HS

RATING INFORMATION
Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, 247 Sports, and On3.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
SENIOR (2023): Finished with 76 total tackles (52 solo) … had 13 TFLs … recorded one sack … notched three interceptions … forced five fumbles … broke up seven passes … scored one defensive touchdown.

JUNIOR (2022): Led team to 9-3 record … finished with 98 tackles, seven TFL … had six sacks … forced two forced fumbles … three fumble recoveries … seven pass breakups … scored one defensive touchdown.

SOPHOMORE (2021): Had 23 tackles.

HIGH SCHOOL ACCOLADES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Chose SMU over Arizona State, Baylor, Ole Miss, Florida State, and Utah among others.

Graham Uter I 6-5 I OT I Daphne, Ala. I Bayside Academy

RATING INFORMATION
Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN, Rivals, 247 Sports, and On3.

HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
Played on the offensive and defensive lines at Bayside Academy … helped lead team to an 8-3 record in 2023.

SENIOR (2023): Had 73 pancakes/knockdowns … recorded 60 tackles … finished with five sacks … tallied three pass deflections.

JUNIOR (2022): Had 55 pancakes/knockdowns … recorded 50 tackles … totaled six sacks … finished with three pass deflections.

HIGH SCHOOL ACCOLADES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
2023 MBAP Senior Bowl Leadership Council Member … 2023 Alabama North vs. South All Star Game selection … 2022 All-State Team … 2022 All-Region Team.