Tyler Lavine on track for SMU season opener vs. Louisiana Tech
HOUSTON — SMU running back Tyler Lavine underwent offseason surgery after playing through a partially torn patella tendon in the 2022 season. On Monday, head coach Rhett Lashlee announced Lavine is nearing 100 percent for fall camp.
The Mustangs report for fall camp Aug. 1 with practice beginning Aug. 2. Getting Lavine back into the mix right away will be big for an upgraded SMU rushing attack.
“Tyler is great. He’s on track,” Lashlee said at the Texas High School Coaches Convention. “He’s been going full bore with our guys in summer workouts. He’s running, he’s lifting. I don’t know if he’s exactly 100 percent cleared, but I think through fall camp, he’ll be able to do what he needs to do and right now, he’s on track to be ready for Game 1. There’s nothing to lead us to believe he won’t.
“He played the last six games last year with a partially torn patella so I can’t imagine the fixed one’s any worse.”
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Lavine, SMU’s returning leading rusher, will battle transfers Jaylan Knighton and LJ Johnson as well as returners Velton Gardner and Camar Wheaton for snaps. When Lavine emerged for the Mustangs in the back half of the season, he energized a rushing attack and notched two 100-yard performances.
A former walk-on, the Cedar Park, Texas native finished with 142 carries for 642 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also added 16 receptions for 122 yards.
The throwback style running back for the Mustangs with the neck roll helped SMU beat Tulsa with three rushing touchdowns. Over the final six games, Lavine did not rush for less than 64 rushing yards in a contest.
