Preston Stone: SMU is entering the ACC 'guns ablazing'

Preston Stone is ready for SMU to take on the ACC in 2024. A new conference comes new matchups and new challenges but the Mustangs will go in “guns ablazing.”

The ACC churned out quality quarterbacks in recent years, making the jump to the NFL. Now that SMU is playing Power Four football, Stone knows there are more eyes and greater expectations.

But the team fits in just well.

“I think we fit in just well,” Stone said at ACC Media Days. “The ACC does have a tradition of putting a lot of talented quarterbacks in the NFL. Just off the top of my head, I think of Jameis Winston, Trevor Lawrence, Deshaun Watson. We’re coming into this conference guns ablazing. I think the quarterback room fits perfectly with that.”

Stone seems well equipped for a step up in competition. Last season, he threw for 3,197 yards, 28 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 59.9% completion percentage

As a member of the Class of 2021, Stone was a four-star recruit out of Dallas (Texas) Parish Episcopal School, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 20 overall prospect in the state, the No. 14 quarterback in the class and the No. 123 overall prospect in the class.

Preston Stone, SMU ready for ACC competition

Stone didn’t hold back about SMU’s preparation for a new era for the program. The Mustangs aren’t just here to participate, they’re here to win.

“I’m pretty hardwired to think ACC at this point,” Stone said.

Dallas is certainly a unique media market for the ACC, the long traditional east coast conference. Not only that, west coast teams Stanford and Cal joined this season too.

“We couldn’t be more excited to compete in the ACC,” Stone said. “I think we’ve always felt and believed that there’s not a team in Texas that can compete with us. Now that we’re stepping into the ACC, we get the chance to prove that. Something Coach Lashlee says all the time is that individual accomplishments are going to flow through the team.

“I think we have a great culture of guys that have that selfless mentality of we’re going to step up to the plate and play for each other each Saturday.”

SMU opens the season on the road at Nevada on August 24th but have the home opener against Houston Christian the following week. 

Ready for the ACC opener? Florida State comes to town September 28th.