Backup QB?
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2025 11:19 amThis just in: Kevin Jennings is the guy for SMU. The stats (247-for-380 passing / 65% / 23 TDs / 11 INT and 354 rush yards and 5 rush TDs) will do that for a guy.
But what about after him? With Luster and Aronson gone, it's safe to assume Hawkins is the QB of the future. But he's also a freshman, so his talent is offset by inexperience. Tyler Van Dyke was brought in, and knows the Lashlee/King offense, but he's coming off a big injury, so who knows how soon he'll be ready to contribute. Behind them, we have Charlie Fiser, who I won't pretend to know anything about.
My guess is another veteran QB is on the way via the transfer portal. Not a challenger to Jennings, but a solid veteran who can learn the offense and hopefully do nothing more than mop-up duty. Hawkins might very well become an all-ACC, All-America, first round draft pick and end up in the Hall of Fame ... but he's not there yet, and if anything happens to Jennings, we need another backup who can be ready if called upon.
But what about after him? With Luster and Aronson gone, it's safe to assume Hawkins is the QB of the future. But he's also a freshman, so his talent is offset by inexperience. Tyler Van Dyke was brought in, and knows the Lashlee/King offense, but he's coming off a big injury, so who knows how soon he'll be ready to contribute. Behind them, we have Charlie Fiser, who I won't pretend to know anything about.
My guess is another veteran QB is on the way via the transfer portal. Not a challenger to Jennings, but a solid veteran who can learn the offense and hopefully do nothing more than mop-up duty. Hawkins might very well become an all-ACC, All-America, first round draft pick and end up in the Hall of Fame ... but he's not there yet, and if anything happens to Jennings, we need another backup who can be ready if called upon.