How SMU's first season in the ACC became a massive success
Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2024 10:39 pmFrom ESPN.com:
How SMU's first season in the ACC became a massive success
Dave Wilson, ESPN Staff Writer
SMU COACH RHETT Lashlee might have a sleepless first week on the job to thank for this historic Mustangs season.
Lashlee was hired on Nov. 30, 2021, just about two weeks before signing day. He was trying to re-recruit the kids who were committed to the previous coach, Sonny Dykes, who departed for TCU. He was trying to re-recruit his own roster. And he was looking to potentially add finishing touches on the class after arriving from Miami, where he'd been for two years as offensive coordinator.
So on that first Friday night, he went to watch South Oak Cliff play Lovejoy at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility in Frisco that also doubles as a high school venue. He was there to see a few underclassmen from both teams that SMU was already recruiting. But there was someone else who caught his eye: South Oak Cliff quarterback Kevin Jennings. Jennings impressed Lashlee with his composure, his demeanor and his arm. At 6 feet, 175, he wasn't the biggest guy, but he played big.
Against Lovejoy, Jennings was 18 of 25 for 250 yards and a touchdown, running four times for 29 yards and two other scores. SOC beat Lovejoy 42-21. The week before, in a massive upset, Jennings had led South Oak Cliff to a win over Aledo, a Texas powerhouse that has won 11 state titles in the past 15 years (and has not lost a playoff game since).
But Jennings had only one college scholarship offer, from Bobby Petrino at Missouri State, and was committed there. Jennings heard all the excuses: South Oak Cliff was loaded with talent, and he was a game manager, a point guard. He was too small. He should play a different position. But Jennings was determined to play quarterback, which he'd played since he was 7.
To read this article in its entirety, CLICK HERE.
How SMU's first season in the ACC became a massive success
Dave Wilson, ESPN Staff Writer
SMU COACH RHETT Lashlee might have a sleepless first week on the job to thank for this historic Mustangs season.
Lashlee was hired on Nov. 30, 2021, just about two weeks before signing day. He was trying to re-recruit the kids who were committed to the previous coach, Sonny Dykes, who departed for TCU. He was trying to re-recruit his own roster. And he was looking to potentially add finishing touches on the class after arriving from Miami, where he'd been for two years as offensive coordinator.
So on that first Friday night, he went to watch South Oak Cliff play Lovejoy at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys' practice facility in Frisco that also doubles as a high school venue. He was there to see a few underclassmen from both teams that SMU was already recruiting. But there was someone else who caught his eye: South Oak Cliff quarterback Kevin Jennings. Jennings impressed Lashlee with his composure, his demeanor and his arm. At 6 feet, 175, he wasn't the biggest guy, but he played big.
Against Lovejoy, Jennings was 18 of 25 for 250 yards and a touchdown, running four times for 29 yards and two other scores. SOC beat Lovejoy 42-21. The week before, in a massive upset, Jennings had led South Oak Cliff to a win over Aledo, a Texas powerhouse that has won 11 state titles in the past 15 years (and has not lost a playoff game since).
But Jennings had only one college scholarship offer, from Bobby Petrino at Missouri State, and was committed there. Jennings heard all the excuses: South Oak Cliff was loaded with talent, and he was a game manager, a point guard. He was too small. He should play a different position. But Jennings was determined to play quarterback, which he'd played since he was 7.
To read this article in its entirety, CLICK HERE.