Ten storylines to watch for SMU Spring Game

SMU Football is set for its Spring Game Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT at Highland Park High School. The Mustangs wrap up the second round of spring practice under Rhett Lashlee’s direction with some key storylines to watch.

Here’s the rundown on what to watch for when the Mustangs are on the field.

1. Preston Stone – QB1 at SMU

It’s the first look at Preston Stone leading the SMU offense as the starting quarterback. After recovering from his collarbone injury, Stone’s showed no rust in spring practices. He’s not been perfect, but he’s showed solid decision making, leadership and enthusiasm leading the offense. Stone’s production is key to SMU’s success this season and the Mustangs appear to have a good starter coming up in Stone. His ability to push the ball down the field more consistently is still being developed, but he’s made strides in that department this spring. Lashlee’s quick with the whistle as Stone tries to extend plays, protecting his quarterback, so that key part of his game won’t be shown much. When that along with his playmaking comes together, Stone should be the latest productive passer to come through the Hilltop.

2. Added size in the trenches

You’ll notice a big size difference in the trenches. SMU added huge offensive tackle Hyrin White from the NCAA Transfer Portal and Thalen Robinson returned to action this spring after missing last year due to injury. Couple that with new additions on the defensive line in Jordan Miller and Elijah Roberts, and SMU’s added serious size in the trenches on both sides. The Mustangs return some size on the defensive line with Elijah Chatman and DeVere Levelston, but Miller and Roberts take it up a notch. SMU welcomes more size to campus in the trenches this summer so it’s only going to take a step up, but Friday will be a nice showcase for the improvements physically.

3. Explosive running backs

Miami transfer Jaylan Knighton and Texas A&M transfer LJ Johnson will see their first action in front of the public on Friday. Both have had strong springs with the Mustangs. Knighton is shifty, explosive and especially for his size, tough. Knighton brings a different element catching the football, but also possesses the vision to make big plays in the SMU offense. Johnson is a bigger back, but has made more and more plays as spring has gone on. The newcomers will get to showcase what they’ll bring to the SMU offense with Tyler Lavine out and Camar Wheaton still slowly coming back. Velton Gardner’s had a nice spring as well and brings some shiftiness to the field.

4. Revamped secondary for SMU

The new-look secondary for the Mustangs is apparent. There are some returners still making noise like Bryan Massey, Ahmaad Moses and Brandon Crossley at safety, but this is the first look at numerous transfers for many. Cornerbacks Jaelyn Davis-Robinson, Chris Megginson and Charles Woods along with safeties Jonathan McGill and CJ Sanders are all battling for playing time. Most of that crew will likely start for the Mustangs in their first seasons on the Hilltop. The competition might be most fierce among the secondary, which is welcomed for a group that still has more improving to do after last year’s improvement.

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5. Who steps up outside of Jordan Kerley at WR?

Jordan Kerley is the budding star you’ll see at wideout on Friday. He’s had a terrific spring and if healthy, will step up into the go-to receiver role. SMU has plenty of competition among that group at the other starting spots. Slot receivers Jake Bailey and Dylan Goffney are recovering from injury still, but there are numerous others who will get opportunities to impress. Miami transfers Key’Shawn Smith and Romello Brinson are among those looking to earn snaps. Smith’s explosive and looks like a playmaker as is Brinson, who took steps forward in the back half of spring ball. Roderick Daniels and Jaxson Lavender figure to get the majority of the reps in the slot. Daniels is used all over while Lavender is a consistent performer in practice. Toss in Moochie Dixon, who is a bit of a dark horse to emerge as a key contributor, that SMU wideout group will be deep, if healthy. Dixon might be the most consistent of all.

6. Work-in-progress offensive line

SMU has two bookend tackles in White and Marcus Bryant, but a lot is left unsettled on the line as spring wraps up. Transfers Jakai Clark and Logan Parr arrive this summer while Justin Osborne is a player who should be healthy for fall camp. That alone will provide more competition. Along the interior, Branson Hickman has held down the center spot while Ben Sparks and Cam Ervin have been mainstays at guard. All that is unsettled though. As Garin Justice’s group battles a tough defensive front, keep in mind that there’s a lot to be settled and help is on the way.

7. Competition at linebacker

Liberty transfer linebacker Ahmad Walker steps in as a starter for Scott Symons’ defense after playing for him earlier in his career. Walker’s been solid since stepping into a starting Mike spot that lost a starter, but there’s competition around him. Veteran JaQwondis Burns, true freshman Alex Kilgore and converted safety Chris Adimora are the main options to start next to him. Burns has had a solid spring and looks more comfortable, Kilgore is learning, but impressing, and Adimora flashes with his athleticism early in his career at linebacker. It’s a group that has questions entering the season, but this spring was encouraging overall.

8. Meet SMU’s true freshmen

Lavender is a consistent option out of the slot, finding ways to pick up additional yardage after the catch. The nearby signee for SMU in the 2023 class is an option in the return game as well. Tight end Lonnie Johnson has some weight to put on, but has shown his comfort as a receiving option in spurts this spring. Kilgore is the early enrollee who looks poised to play the most, comfortably running in the two-deep during spring practice. Defensive end Braeden Flowers had a solid start to his career, running with the second team early in spring, but is out with injury the rest of the way.

9. Where’s the pass rush coming from?

It’s a thin group at the Bandit for SMU with Nelson Paul and Isaiah Smith holding down that position. Both have ample athletic ability coming off the edge and Paul emerged as a reliable pass rusher, especially. SMU’s continued to try to find ways to dial up pressure, which is key heading into 2023. The Mustangs need to put more pressure on the quarterback and it starts with the edge rushers, but contributors across the defensive line in this regard will be welcomed.

10. Injuries to know… and avoid

SMU’s been relatively healthy during spring ball with only Flowers being the key injury. Other returners like Jayden Jones, Jahari Rogers, Bailey, Goffney, Lavine, Osborne and others have been out for various reasons. If SMU can get through the spring game without any other injuries, it would’ve been a successful spring from that perspective, for sure. Avoiding injuries might be the biggest goal of Friday’s showcase.