SMU's Calvin Thibodeaux living a DL coach's dream
SMU defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux landed a few former players on NFL rosters and added an ACC multi-year starter from the transfer portal over the weekend.
For Thibodeaux, if he gets through Tuesday’s NCAA Transfer Portal window closing without defections, he’s going to sleep like a baby for a few days.
Then, it’s back to work.
Former Miami Hurricanes have flocked to the Hilltop to restock the defensive line over the past year or so. The latest is Jared Harrison-Hunte, who SMU beat out Florida State and many others for to land. Harrison-Hunte started 22 games over the past three seasons.
Once again, SMU’s added starting Power Five experience to Thibodeaux’ room. That comes on the heels of assembling talent like Mike Lockhart (West Virginia), Tank Booker (Arkansas), Jonathan Jefferson (Georgia), Omari Abor (Ohio State) and Blake Burris (Texas Tech) out of the transfer portal this winter.
With SMU defensive linemen Elijah Roberts, a First Team All-AAC selection, and Kori Roberson returning, its tough to argue SMU’s not three-deep in the trenches of players Thiboedaux trusts. That’s not even including Sam Dunnam’s talented group of Bandits or other depth assembled for the defensive line.
His deep room on the defensive line is hoping to land NFL opportunities like former Hurricane Jordan Miller and multi-year SMU starters Elijah Chatman and DeVere Levelston did over the weekend. In 2024, Thibodeaux’ got enough bodies to keep them fresh and offer an opportunity to put good tape down for league scouts.
Roberts is the star. His size, speed and athleticism has NFL scouts keeping a close eye on his tape this fall as the Mustangs transition to the ACC. The Mustangs could see multiple defensive linemen drafted, if they reach their potential for the 2025 NFL Draft.
The defensive line talent was key in the AAC Championship run for SMU. That’s why it was critical to restock the room again. With Harrison-Hunte, the Mustangs now possess one of the top defensive lines in the ACC on paper before playing a snap in the league.
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Thibodeaux doesn’t want his SMU group to take anything for granted. He’s got different body types that he can plug in to help Scott Symons’ defense, but most importantly, his group loves to play the game.
“You want to make sure that everybody understands what their role is and make sure that they’re stars in their roles,” Thibodeaux said this spring. “And you want to make sure that you bring good quality character young men into the program and so far, that seems to be the case. These guys work hard, guys that love football, No. 1. They love football, man, we’re going to love each other. Guys that are just eager and passionate to get on the field and make the most of this opportunity. And we feel like we got a couple of those guys.
“Nothing’s going to be given to us. We have to form those great habits and go take what’s ours,” Thibodeaux added. “The guys are working. They’re working, they’ve got great attitudes and as a coach that’s all you really could ask for right now.”
Thibodeaux is always hunting for “Big Freaks” as he likes to call out on Twitter as he lands a commitment. It’s safe to say he’s landed that once again for his upcoming season.
The Mustangs hope it pays off with another top defense and for the players, professional opportunities.
That’s all you can ask for when you have a group of “Big Freaks” like SMU has.
