⚡ CFB Dashboard

- 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.

- 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.

- Injury: Too bad he’s out for the season with an injury as is LinkRhodes.

- Injury: SMU football head coach Rhett Lashlee said after Wednesday's practice that two Mustangs are out for the year.

- Injury: VIDEO: SMU football head coach Rhett Lashlee met the media after the Mustangs wrapped up preseason camp, updating injuries and looking ahead to the team's opener at Florida State.

- Injury: From SMUMustangs.com: Jalen Hale, Jonathan Jefferson named to 2026 Comeback Player of the Year watch list GLENDALE, ARIZ.

- Injury: Conference sets the schedule and they're not going to do us any favors.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.