5 Things to watch in SMU spring game
The SMU football team will take the field at Highland Park’s Highlander Stadium on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. for its spring game.
Here are five things to watch as the Mustangs take one step closer to the 2024 season.
1. A reworked offensive line
This is an interesting piece this spring as there are new faces and some movement. Justin Osborne comes in with a ton of experience, but is making the move to center after playing both guard and tackle last year. PJ Williams is stepping into a starting role at left tackle with newcomer Nate Anderson getting work at the No. 1 left guard spot. On the other side of Osborne is Jakai Clark, who got some work late last season and has experience at center and guard with head coach Rhett Lashlee and offensive line coach Garin Justice at Miami. Then Savion Byrd, another newcomer, is making a move from left guard to right tackle for the Mustangs.
There are also some second-year SMU players getting their shot with the second group. That includes redshirt freshmen Alex Woods, Reagan Gill and Sean Scott along with Caleb Johnson. With Logan Parr and Ben Sparks out this spring with injuries, there have been opportunities for players to play up a spot.
2. Leaders in the starting CB race
SMU graduated over 96% of the cornerback starts from last season as Charles Woods and Chris Megginson made 27 of the 28 starts. The battle to replace them is wide open.
Jahari Rogers is back with SMU experience, including the one start last season and 14 career starts. The Mustangs brought in transfer Deuce Harmon who has experience from playing at Texas A&M, including 11 career starts. Jaelyn Davis-Robinson is in his second season with SMU, but was limited some this spring due to a hamstring injury.
Then there is AJ Davis who is in his third year with the Mustangs and has been noted as having a great spring. Not only at corner or in the secondary, but across the entire defense. This is a position that needs players to step up and the spring game will be a chance to put that on display.
3. Will a WR step up?
This is a group that was frustrating at times last season. It was a balanced group, but no one stepped up as a go-to guy in key situations. Jordan Hudson has looked good this spring with a year at SMU under his belt. Moochie Dixon is another breakout candidate as he enters Year 3 on the Hilltop.
Romello Brinson and Key’Shawn Smith are also back on the outside along with the addition of Ashton Cozart who has put together a really good spring after transferring this winter.
On the inside Jake Bailey and Roderick Daniels Jr. are back. Bailey was last year’s leading receiver in yards and receptions, 528 on 42, but did not have a touchdown. Hudson led in that category with seven, tying for the team lead with tight end RJ Maryland.
While a balanced attack can keep defenses on their toes, SMU still needs one or two to who can make plays when the team needs it.
4. Big additions to the DL
This could be a fun group to watch all season long and they should put much of why on display during the spring game. Elijah Roberts is back after his monster season a year ago and SMU has reloaded on the inside. Fans will get their first looks at Tank Booker, Mike Lockhart and Jonathan Jefferson.
The Mustangs also added Jahfari Harvey to the edge while fellow newcomer Omari Abor is getting reps behind Roberts.
There were plenty of questions about how defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux would replace Jordan Miller, Elijah Chatman and DeVere Levelston and those have been answered in a big way. Both literally and figuratively.
There are also some returning players who will look to up their production on the line. It should make for good football.
5. Kevin & Keldric
This is an interesting one because of what Kevin Jennings and Keldric Luster have had the opportunity to do this spring with Preston Stone still recovering from the injury that ended his season early. I don’t believe there will be a position battle this fall, but Jennings has made the most of his time as QB1.
Both new quarterbacks coach D’Eriq King and Bailey talked about the impression Luster has made on them this spring . True freshman Tyler Aronson has gotten a chance to work at No. 3, giving him some more reps this spring too.
Stone did announce on social media Wednesday night that he has been fully cleared, but is not expected to play in Friday’s game.
Honorable Mention
He has a speed and a quickness and flash to him that makes him fun to watch. Worth keeping an eye on No. 1 on offense.
