Offseason review

[CA Mustang]

8. SMU Mustangs
Key additions: DE Jahkai Lang, OG Addison Nichols, DT Jeffrey M'Ba

Key departures: RB Brashard Smith, DT Jared Harrison-Hunte, DE Elijah Roberts

Top incoming recruits: OT Dramodd Odoms, QB Ty Hawkins, WR Daylon Singleton

Biggest coaching move: Coach Rhett Lashlee kept his staff intact after reaching the ACC title game and the CFP, which provides great continuity entering 2025. Defensive coordinator Scott Symons has been in the mix for head coaching roles but will return to SMU for his fourth season to oversee a playmaking unit.

What went wrong: Can the Mustangs sustain their 2024 success and follow up on the 11-3 finish that took SMU to the conference title game and a playoff appearance in the program's ACC debut? Hanging on to Symons and offensive coordinator Casey Woods will help. But failing to add a proven, impact newcomer to step in for 1,332-yard rusher Brashard Smith or a replacement for top pass catcher Roderick Daniels Jr. could bite the Mustangs. Symons' steel will be tested as well, with SMU potentially preparing to replace upward of 80% of its starting 11 on defense, including top tackler Kobe Wilson and defensive tackles Jared Harrison-Hunte and Elijah Roberts.

What went right: The Mustangs made size and depth on both sides of the line of scrimmage a priority ahead of their first ACC season last fall. That paid off for an offensive line that allowed only 18 sacks (T-30th nationally) and paved the way for the league's seventh-ranked rushing attack. SMU accounted for the losses of center Jakai Clark and right guard Justin Osborne with Oklahoma transfer Joshua Bates and Arkansas' Addison Nichols, a 12-game starter last fall, along with veteran Miami transfer Zion Nelson. The Mustangs drew similar dividends on a defensive line that finished seventh in rushing yards per game (100.7). Jeffrey M'Ba, Damarjhe Lewis and Texas State portal newcomer Terry Webb will be given the tall task of replacing Harrison-Hunte and Roberts.

Connelly's take: Lashlee held on to his quarterback and both coordinators. That's an undeniable plus, but it's pretty easy to be a little worried about the receiving corps as well as a defense that could have as many as nine new starters.
https://www.espn.com/college-football/s ... teams-2025