Kevin Jennings interview at ACC Football Kickoff

[PonyPride]

Kevin, you went from a backup, somewhat unheralded, to now leading a team to an ACC Championship game appearance, College Football Playoff, and now you're a Heisman dark horse. How do you stay levelheaded, humble, and hungry throughout that type of meteoric rise?

KEVIN JENNINGS: I just remember where I came from. At one point I was known as a nobody, just out there playing. Now I'm working my way up. It's honestly a blessing. I just try to stay levelheaded, just have my teammates check me if I ever get too cocky or whatever, have my family check me and all that stuff. I just try to stay levelheaded all the time.

You obviously had a fantastic season last year, but struggled against Penn State on the road in CFP. What can you take away about handling that hostile environment, and how will you put that into action when you all go to Clemson this season?

KEVIN JENNINGS: I took a lot from that game. I tell myself all the time, honestly, I needed that game. I needed a bad game like that to bounce back and come back in and remind myself that I can play at this level, I can do all the things I'm capable of doing.

Just taking that game and going to the Clemson game, it's going to be kind of the same environment. Just looking forward to heading to Clemson.

In the college football landscape that is constantly changing, you come back to SMU with a coaching staff that remains exactly the same. How much did that help you in this off-season just -- and will help you pick up where you left off?

KEVIN JENNINGS: It definitely helped me a lot, just coming in the building. I've got the same coach, same offense, just things like that, not me having to think too much of I've got to remember this, I've got to learn this, and all that type of stuff.

It's really a big help having a great coaching staff around me. They coach me each and every day to get better, and just trying to uplift that trust.

Nick Saban called you one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country last season. You guys made it into the ACC Championship the first year of y'all's entrance into the conference. Many people would consider that a successful season. What would you consider a successful season for this upcoming season?

KEVIN JENNINGS: Big shoutout to Nick Saban for mentioning that. I think we had a really good season last year. It didn't end how we wanted it to end, but I think this upcoming year, our end goal is to win it all, win the conference championship. That would be a good season for me.

You had a very, very successful 2024 season. You were able to do a little bit of everything, in the air, on the ground, but heading into the 2025 season, what have you been the most focused on improving in your overall game as a leader, et cetera? What are you most excited to showcase in this upcoming season?

KEVIN JENNINGS: The things I've been working on, just working on the little things, taking that very seriously. Being a better leader, being a more vocal leader at that, and also just decision-making. That kind of cost me a little bit last year. I think heading into this year, I think I'm doing way better decision-making and making the right reads and all that.

Just looking forward to seeing my team play this year, honestly. That's what I'm more excited about.

I wanted to know, can you point to moments throughout this off-season where you and your teammates, you and your coach got closer and you felt it? Like, for the media, we don't get a chance to see all the time, those moments, but can you point those moments to us so we can have some tidbits?

KEVIN JENNINGS: I think it's everyday things, honestly. Just sharing the locker room with those guys, living together, running together and all that. It builds courage for our team. Everybody is going through the same struggle on the field. We're out there conditioning days, we're out there dying, killing us and all that, and we're able to lean on each other for help and all of that. I think that's able to make our brotherhood so tight.

One of your big starts, one of your first times starting back two years ago in the Fenway Bowl, you played Boston College and since then have played them another time, and you're going to go back up to Boston to visit BC this year. Just tell me about kind of your take on the initial series history with BC and what it was like visiting Boston for the first time.

KEVIN JENNINGS: I got asked that question earlier about the rivalry of Boston College and SMU. I think it's a really good rivalry that's coming along in the ACC. I'm looking forward to head up there to Boston and play Boston College. It's a really good football team.

The first initial thought going up there to Boston, weather was kind of crazy. It was pretty cold, wet and all that. Yeah, they're a really good team. So I'm excited to head back up there and get that rivalry started.

[RunningStang]

I think if we go into Death Valley and win, he shoots to the top of the Heisman race. It will be fascinating to watch.


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[Higher Authority]

If we win there, he will shoot up on a lot of voters' ballots!