SMU trending for On300 top-150 WR Jalen Cooper

SMU, new to the ACC this coming season, currently ranks No. 22 recruiting class in the 2025 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

A heater of a recruiting weekend for ‘Pony Express Weekend’ in Dallas could see that class get even better.

One of the nation’s best quarterbacks — four-star Keelon Russell — was in attendance. Top uncommitted visitors included On3 No. 26 prospect Smith Orogbo, top-100 offensive tackle Lamont Rogers, top-100 running back Michael Turner and On3 top-150 wide receiver Jalen Cooper.

Jalen Cooper is the latest blue-chip prospect to be trending toward the Mustangs.

On3’s Steve Wiltfong logged an expert prediction favoring SMU on Monday with a 60-percent confidence level. SMU now leads for Cooper in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) with an 81.8-percent chance of landing the star receiver.

Cooper is the nation’s No. 318 overall prospect, No. 45 wide receiver and No. 53 recruit from Texas in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3 is higher on Cooper than the other three major recruiting services. He ranks No. 142 overall and No. 19 among wideouts in the 2025 On300.

Cooper spoke with On3 about his visit to Dallas over the weekend.

“The environment was great,” Cooper said. “The coaching staff did a great job making everybody feel welcomed. I feel they have all the momentum going into the ACC and I think they can win it all.

“They are very detailed,” Cooper said. “The coaches keep it real with all the players. I like how they preach family.”

More on SMU recruiting

Duncanville (Texas) four-star quarterback Keelon Russell ranks inside the On3 Industry top 100 and remains committed to SMU. He was in Dallas over the weekend. He’s joined in the class by fellow blue-chipper, DeSoto (Texas) four-star wide receiver Daylon Singleton.

It’s been a successful last two days on the recruiting trail for Rhett Lashlee & co. Between Saturday and Sunday, the Mustangs picked up four commitments: DeSoto (Texas) three-star safety Sael Reyes, McKinney (Texas) three-star cornerback Zadian Gentry, North Richland Hills (Texas) Richland three-star wide receiver Xavier Johnson and Corona (Calif.) Centennial three-star interior offensive lineman Drew Hill.