SMU trending for 2025 4-star QB Keelon Russell

As the high school and college football seasons get underway, programs are looking to put the finishing touches on their 2024 classes, while simultaneously looking ahead to the 2025 cycle.

Some of the top names in the ’25 class are slowly coming off the board, meaning the time to push for the pledges of high-profile skill players is now. SMU is doing just that with Duncanville (Texas) four-star quarterback Keelon Russell.

According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), the Mustangs have a 96.9% chance to land Russell. On The Pony Express’ Billy Embody logged a pick in favor of SMU on Friday with a 65% confidence level. TCU and Ole Miss are each behind at just over 1%, respectively.

“The recruiting process is going great. A lot of coaches are hitting me up lately,” Russell told Embody in August. “I would say this (SMU) is one of the schools and Ole Miss has really been on my top level. Loving it up there at both of those schools.”

Russell took two trips to Dallas this summer: at the end of June and July. Quarterbacks coach Jonathan Brewer and running backs coach Khenon Hall are leading the Mustangs’ recruitment alongside head coach Rhett Lashlee.

“We had a conversation, but it was more about football and the recruitment process and things, but he was also saying things like you’re the best in the state and he wanted me up there in the future,” Russell said of his conversations with Lashlee. “It made me feel like I’m their QB1 already.”

Russell is the No. 146 overall prospect and No. 16 QB in the 2025 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 39 player in Texas.

Mustangs building improved 2025 class

Only eight commits are currently on Lashlee’s 2024 pledge list — which ranks No. 76 in the nation, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking — but the 2025 class is already on track to be a major improvement.

On Friday, DeSoto (Texas) four-star wide receiver Daylon Singleton committed to SMU, becoming the third four-star pledge in the class. He joins Tyler (Texas) Chapel Hill teammates, four-star running back Rickey Stewart Jr. and four-star athlete Demetrious Brisbon Jr. Singleton and Stewart are both top-300 prospects. SMU’s class is currently No. 8 in the ’25 cycle.

“SMU will have a year under its belt in the Atlantic Coast Conference when the 2025 recruiting class arrives on campus. With the invitation to a power conference, Rhett Lashlee’s staff have its sights set on a historic recruiting class,” Embody wrote.