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

[highlander]

Last year we had one of the oldest and most experienced teams in college football history (IΓÇÖm guessing). ItΓÇÖs going to be very difficult, if not impossible, to replace all those seniors.

[RunningStang]

DonΓÇÖt believe it. Believe this. The pony express went 49-9-1 in a five year period with recruiting restrictions. Imagine what they would have done in the NIL era? That is now. Expect 10 wins and a shot at the playoffs. Book it. The talent coming in is greater than the talent leaving. Now it is up to the coaches to make it gel and they will. I think SMU will be a national title contender very soon. The sleeping giant is wide awake and wonΓÇÖt be going to sleep anytime soon. These national outlets only remember post death penalty SMU, but I saw first hand the pony express in the 80s and this program is already back to that level and should be exceeding it very soon.


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[highlander]

hope youΓÇÖre right

[BUS]

Retain the coaching staff. Hire their wives as marketing associates. Give b them a share of your oil well, or dealership... that drops off if you leave smu.
Be creative.

[ponyte]

With depth, players coming up will have valuable game experiences. A stable coaching staff at this level is HUGE! They know what they need and what those coming back can do and have the potential to do. We need to address special teams and turnovers. I believe the coaching staff will handle the talent.