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SMU flips 4-star WR Jakai Anderson from LSU

On3 imageby:Billy Embody•05/10/25•

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Jakai Anderson. (Billy Embody / On3)

SMU pulled off a huge flip as 2026 New Orleans (La.) McDonogh 35 four-star wide receiver Jakai Anderson switched from in-state LSU to the Mustangs, he announced.

Anderson, who landed an offer from the LSU staff during his sophomore season in 2023, picked LSU in June 2024.

As a junior, Anderson had 57 catches for 972 yards and 14 touchdowns, but his impact didn’t stop at wide receiver. The LSU commit also had 151 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries, and his starting role as a return specialist resulted in 518 yards and seven touchdowns on a combination of kickoff and punt returns.

Anderson adds to a star-studded wide receiver class for SMU wide receivers coach Rob Likens. The Mustangs have four-star Kaufman (Tex.) wideout Aljour Miles and four-star Yoakum (Tex.) wideout Xzavier Barnett committed.

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His strong performance led to a jump into the On300, which On3 national scout Cody Bellaire said was a player who could do it all. On3 ranks him as the No. 216 overall prospect in the country, No. 33 wideout in America and the 8th-ranked prospect in Louisiana.

“What we saw with Jakai was the ability to score any time the ball touches his hands, whether it’s as a receiver, returner or a ball carrier,” Bellaire said. “That’s the biggest thing. His body type is solid, but he’s not a physical, dominant presence … and he’s not the fastest kid you’ll ever see from a track perspective. But, his ability to make guys miss in space is special.

“Jakai Anderson can be that dynamic slot option. You can give him carries, you can work him across the middle, you can send him vertical … he can do a lot of damage from that slot position.”

Earlier this spring, Anderson continued his strong showing as a Top Performer for On3 from OT7 in Dallas.

“Jakai Anderson was not targeted a ton on Day 1 of OT7, but he was the straw that stirred the drink for the Coastline Stars offense on Sunday,” Bellaire said. “He was the most targeted receiver for Coastline on Day 2 and was putting the ball in the paint at will scoring multiple touchdowns on the day. His ability to separate from defenders and pluck the ball away from his frame set up his team for success all day long. He’s shifty, explosive and such a natural downfield ball tracker making even the most difficult catches look simple here at OT7.”

SMU adding Anderson adds a key piece to the future of the passing attack for the Mustangs.

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