Injuries
10
Podcast: PREVIEW: Will SMU Look BUTTONED UP in Season Opener—Fall Camp Storylines, Improvements With DBs?
- The pre-opener SMU preview rated the healthy starting offensive line as one of the program's strongest groups in many years, making that optimism conditional on availability rather than established game performance.
- Left-guard contender Abel was reported to have injured his foot, with a possible season-long absence discussed but not confirmed.
- The preview reported that Christian Rhodes would likely miss most or all of September with a hamstring issue; this was a pre-opener availability projection, not a new postgame update.
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SMU Injury Report: First FSU game availability report revealed
- SMU listed linebacker Caden Marshall, corner Deuce Gilbert, running backs EJ Kelly, Christian Rhodes, and Link Rhodes, linebacker Kenneth Goodwin III, and offensive lineman Abel Hoopii as out for the Florida State matchup.
- SMU listed defensive backs Ahmaad Moses and Jaden Milliner-Jones plus receiver Daylon Singleton as questionable, with Rhett Lashlee saying Milliner-Jones has struggled with a hamstring throughout camp.
- Lashlee said most of SMU's other listed players had already been discussed publicly and that the Mustangs came out of fall camp in a decent overall spot.
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2 Mustangs likely out for the year
- Injury: SMU football head coach Rhett Lashlee said after Wednesday's practice that two Mustangs are out for the year.
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AP Football Polls, 2026
- Injury: Conference sets the schedule and they're not going to do us any favors.
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- Injury: SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings is dealing with an injury on his throwing hand and is expected to be limited for the next 1-2 weeks of camp, per Rhett Lashlee.
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Podcast: RETURN: Why SMU Must BRING BACK Ahmaad Moses — College Sports is an ABSOLUTE MESS Right Now
- SMU is considering a reunion with fifth-year safety Ahmaad Moses after surgery interrupted his NFL pre-draft process, but mutual interest and a return are not yet confirmed.
- If healthy, Moses would offer more experience than several current safety depth options and could anchor the back end alongside young Tyrone Pauli.
- His medical recovery is the key fall-camp variable; the episode's view is that SMU should play him if he is cleared and can strengthen the defense.
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Podcast: SMU Secondary Fall Camp Preview with Hayden Howerton | Brighter days ahead for Mustangs in 2026? | Cal DB Ricky Fletcher Interview
- SMU's secondary appears largely set entering fall camp, with Jimmy Wierich and Tyra Polly projected at safety, but health remains the main concern.
- Duke Gilbert missed spring after shoulder surgery; he had previously impressed on special teams and in limited defensive snaps.
- Marcelis Barnes was not fully recovered from a shoulder issue when he arrived last season, making his continued progression another camp variable in a room that returns several players and adds four newcomers.
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Depth Chart
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✦ AI Summary · 2 items synthesized
- [podcast] SMU's running back and cornerback rooms are described as unsettled in a good way, with those two spots likely to draw the most attention entering organized team work and fall camp. - At running back, Cal transfer Kendrick Raphael joins Dromico Green in a battle that could become close to a 50-50 split because both are viewed as viable answers. - Raphael is... [source](https://locked-on-smu.simplecast.com/episodes/battle-smus-running-backs-and-corners-jostle-for-dept
- [podcast] Kevin Jennings is currently sidelined by a jammed finger, making his recovery the immediate availability issue for SMU. - Jennings returns for a fourth season at SMU and a third as the starter, giving the Mustangs unusually strong quarterback continuity. - A league coach said his defense could not contain Jennings, and the expectation is that graduating and...
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Podcast: SMU Football 2026 Season Preview: Can the Mustangs Make Another CFP Run? | Mustang Mood
- Kevin Jennings is currently sidelined by a jammed finger, making his recovery the immediate availability issue for SMU.
- Jennings returns for a fourth season at SMU and a third as the starter, giving the Mustangs unusually strong quarterback continuity.
- A league coach said his defense could not contain Jennings, and the expectation is that graduating and focusing fully on football could support another developmental step.
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Podcast: BATTLE: SMU'S Running Backs and Corners JOSTLE for Depth Chart Positioning in OFFSEASON
- SMU's running back and cornerback rooms are described as unsettled in a good way, with those two spots likely to draw the most attention entering organized team work and fall camp.
- At running back, Cal transfer Kendrick Raphael joins Dromico Green in a battle that could become close to a 50-50 split because both are viewed as viable answers.
- Raphael is specifically highlighted as a back who can be a weapon out of the backfield after earning All-ACC recognition and playing well against SMU last season.
- SMU also has returning defensive linemen who have developed within the program, but the clearest competition notes are at running back and corner.
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Offensive Updates
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- RB: All eyes on 6 Kendrick Raphael has been named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, which honors the nation’s most outstanding collegiate running back.
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Podcast: CONFIDENCE: SMU's Rhett Lashlee, Kevin Jennings Will THREATEN the ACC in 2026, SMU's DBs are BETTER
- Rowan Brumbaugh is expected to miss four to six weeks with a knee issue, creating an immediate availability concern for SMU's defense.
- The host expects a materially better defensive unit built around players who fit together, even without a roster full of established stars.
- SMU's inability to get stops was its primary weakness last season; an improvement of roughly four to five points per game would be enough to support the offense and change the team's 2026 profile.
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Podcast: Could SMU’s Difficult Start Against Florida State Be Beneficial and UNLOCK Their True ACC Potential?
- Kevin Jennings is healthy and enters 2026 older and more experienced, with the mobility and arm strength to raise SMU's offensive ceiling if his decision-making improves.
- The offensive line is viewed as better and includes an elite blind-side protector; keeping that unit healthy is central to protecting Jennings.
- The host also sees an improved receiver group and does not expect SMU's Notre Dame trip to resemble its prior 35-3 playoff loss.
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VIDEO: Rob Likens breaks down receiver group
- WR: Agree about this staff and as nice as it would be to hold this group together for years to come, success leads to opportunities as we've seen with coordinators moving on so we can...
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Defensive Updates
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On The Pony Express Game Picks: SMU at FSU
- LB: If we make our reads, get in the correct positions schematically and get throught game one rusty tackling (happens to most teams after fall camp), then the defense will be fine.
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VIDEO: Life on the edge of the SMU defense
- DL/LB: VIDEO: SMU edges coach Sam Dunnam and edges Ira Singleton, IV, and Aakil Washington discuss the position group’s 2026 preseason camp.
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SMU No. 19 in AP poll
- DL: I do, too, except I wonder if we have the needed depth on the defensive line.
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Everything
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Ponies at Jerry World
- Intel: All this non-Ford Stadium could start a pricey precedent, and hurt “home game” advantages.
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VIDEO: Mustangs are ready to run
- Pick/market: There's no question but that McIlhenny was a big factor in making the Pony Express so successful.
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SMU players in NFL
- Pick/market: far this week: Buechele goes 5-10 for 11 yds and a TD Isaiah Smith credited with one tackle Elijah Chatman with 3 tackles including a sack Jordan Miller with 3 tackles Jahfari Harvey with...
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Greg McElroy is a Kevin Jennings fan
- Pick/market: SMU is a contender and back to the level the Pony Express teams of the 1980s were at.
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- Practice: Coronado vs Levelland Scrimmage Aug.
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How's this for a prediction?
- Intel: Well, it's like they said...we come in ranked so while that might make us a target for a lot of teams, it also gives you a head start on that end of season ranking...
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- OL: The center of attention Josh Bates has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List, presented annually to college football's most outstanding center.
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- Intel: Dawgs up front Josh Bates & PJ Williams have been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, awarded annually to the best college football interior lineman in the United States.
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- Intel: UNTOLD— five-part series that gives fans an inside look at the lives of SMU Football players.
SMU picked second in ACC preseason media poll
- Pick/market: From SMUMustangs.com: SMU picked second in ACC preseason media poll CHARLOTTE (SMU/The ACC) – SMU Football was picked second in the ACC Preseason Media Poll on Tuesday in a release by the Atlantic Coast...
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