Projecting the SMU offensive depth chart

It’s Week Zero for SMU Football and the Mustangs are finalizing the depth chart for kickoff against Nevada. What’s the outlook for the offensive depth chart heading into Game 1? We break it down as the season is finally here.

QB1 Preston Stone , QB2 Kevin Jennings

QB Buzz: We have said we expect Stone to start Game 1 vs. Nevada, but both Stone and Jennings are in a competition still. With two winnable games to open the season, that leaves plenty of time for the staff to play both, if they’d like. Stone will likely get the start and at some point, the staff would like to get Jennings a look. Remember, the past two seasons, SMU’s played three quarterbacks or more. Both were named captains and that shows just how much respect the team has for the paid. Expect Stone to start, but we’ll get further clarity of what the plan is with both as the games unfold.

RB1 LJ Johnson , RB2 Jaylan Knighton / Brashard Smith

RB Buzz: Going into fall camp, the hope would be that Miami transfer Brashard Smith instill confidence in him from the coaching staff. That happened without a doubt as he showed his explosiveness in the backfield. He’ll see plenty of time in the games as will SMU’s returners, LJ Johnson and Jaylan Knighton. Johnson is the most well-rounded and has a combination of speed and physicality. Knighton has explosiveness like Smith. Running backs coach Kyle Cooper would love to get the hot hand going and find a workhorse.

WR1: Romello Brinson , WR2: Jordan Hudson
WR1 Key’Shawn Smith , WR2: Moochie Dixon
Slot1: Jake Bailey , Slot2: Roderick Daniels

WR Buzz: Romello Brinson and Jordan Hudson emerged as the two top outside wideouts in fall camp. Both will play a ton and wide receivers coach Rob Likens will get a feel for if the camp showing is for real early. Getting the two on the field at the same time would be nice, but having both be fresh every play would also be nice. Key’Shawn Smith and Moochie Dixon are the other two outside wideouts who are looking to step up for the Mustangs. The entire group is predicated on who steps up at gametime. Jake Bailey and Roderick Daniels will hold the slot positions down.

TE1 RJ Maryland , TE2 Matthew Hibner

TE Buzz: RJ Maryland has a chance to win the Mackey Award this season, if he realizes his potential. Michigan transfer Matthew Hibner has the body and athleticism to make a lot of noise this year as well as a consistent contributor. Sophomore Adam Moore has a bright future as well. The pecking order is straight-forward, but it’s a group that is considered deep for SMU.

LT1 PJ Williams LT2 Caleb Johnson
LG1 Logan Parr , LG2 Savion Byrd
C1 Justin Osborne , C2 Jakai Clark/ Graham Uter
RG1 Jakai Clark , RG2 Ben Sparks
RT1 Nate Anderson , RT2 Andrew Chamblee

OL Buzz: We’re sure of a few things on this offensive line. Left tackle PJ Williams, center Justin Osborne and right guard Jakai Clark are locked in their positions. Williams and Osborne are expected to be All-ACC type players for the Mustangs. They’re garnering plenty of preseason buzz. If Osborne went down, Clark would move over to center. For Game 1, we’re not sure if Logan Parr will get the start at left guard or if the staff will give him time to recover a little bit more. If he doesn’t go, Savion Byrd is capable at the position, based on what we saw in camp. The big question is right tackle going into SMU’s season. Nate Anderson swapped spots with Byrd in camp and has grabbed that right tackle spot. Arkansas transfer Andrew Chamblee has been hurt so when he comes back, he’ll have to earn the right tackle spot.

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