Atlantic · 2026

SMU

2025 record 9–4 6–2 conference
Postseason Holiday Bowl W 24–19 vs Arizona
Head coach Rhett Lashlee Year 5; 38–16
Scheme Air Raid / 4-2-5
Conference
A−

Title-caliber QB/OL core and market profile (second on the board); defensive-front turnover on the early chart is the caveat

Portal
B

Portal #6 (rubric B/B−); Raphael/Lee are starter-level adds without a volume overhaul

Depth
B

Offense two-deep looks healthy; several defensive second-team spots remain thin on the depth chart

Market odds

To Win ACC
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
To Make Conf. Championship
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%
Over 8.5 wins
Yes 0.00%
No 0.00%

Recruiting ranks

Overall #7 39 commits · 254.48 pts
Portal #6 16 commits· avg 87.13

Roster notes

Leading story

Continuity at QB with Kevin Jennings; strong OL spine

Offense

QB Kevin Jennings; RB Kendrick Raphael (Cal); WRs Jalen Cooper / Yannick Smith / Yamir Knight; TE Theo Melin Ohrstrom; OL Dramodd Odoms–Andrew Chamblee–Joshua Bates–Addison Nichols–PJ Williams

Defense

Ira Singleton / Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder / David Chukwuemeka / Marques White; Alexander Kilgore / Brandon Booker; Jayvon Thomas / Tyren Polley Jr. / Jimmy Wyrick / Marcellus Barnes Jr. / Jarvis Lee

Key offense

  1. 01
    Kevin Jennings QB
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 3,641 yards, 26 TD, 66.1% completion
    • preseason All-ACC context
  2. 02
    PJ Williams RT
    Returning
    • 2025 (regular season) All-ACC / AP second team
    • 2026 Phil Steele second-team All-America nod
  3. 03
    Kendrick Raphael RB
    Portal
    • Cal → SMU
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 943 rush yards, 13 rush TD
    • All-ACC HM

Key defense

  1. 01
    Brandon Booker LB
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 69 tackles
    • preseason All-ACC context
  2. 02
    Alexander Kilgore LB
    Returning
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 60 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2 INT
  3. 03
    Jarvis Lee NB/S
    Portal
    • USF → SMU
    • 2025 (incl. bowl): 55 tackles, 12 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 INT, 3 FF