SMU's football recruiting is ramping up as they prepare for their ACC transition, offering scholarships to top high school talent and securing key commitments. The university offered 2026 QB Jake Fette, DBs Marcell Gipson and Ryan Gilbert II, and 2027 OT Jordan Carraway. SMU also received a commitment from 4-star 2025 DB Nathan Tilmon, who chose SMU over schools like Michigan State, citing 'Everything made SMU home' as a reason for his decision. Head coach Scott Symons celebrates this big addition to the secondary. SMU's 4-star QB commit Keelon Russell received an offer from Florida during his unofficial visit. The team's recruiting efforts, led by Rhett Lashlee and Kyle Cooper, include hosting four-star athletes such as Zay Gentry, Keiundre Johnson, and Demetrius Brisbon, and visits from key targets Xavier Johnson and Michael Turner. LSU is also active in recruiting, with 4-star LB Jarcoby Hopson planning a visit, drawn by the new defensive staff.
2025 Terrell ATH Keiundre Johnson (@keiundree) was very impressed with Texas A&M following his first visit on Junior Day (Premium): https://t.co/FFk4BKjGyf
#SMU offers 2026 Dallas (Tex.) South Oak Cliff DB Marcell Gipson. https://t.co/zRPmWcbcoS https://t.co/LMVgXlhe5D
#SMU offers 2026 Mesquite (Tex.) Horn DB Ryan Gilbert II, one of the top corners in DFW. https://t.co/GgnAQ903mn https://t.co/p9UuKMGZRJ
#SMU offers 2027 Forney (Tex.) OT Jordan Carraway, who is on campus for a visit today. https://t.co/2jgdT68a5a https://t.co/Pr8oDuxpR1
Key #SMU targets Xavier Johnson and Michael Turner out of Richland High on campus for a visit. Two of DFW's best spending time on the Hilltop. https://t.co/zThENl82vQ https://t.co/rISlo7lhLh https://t.co/g7AXiCFvrk
2025 Terrell ATH Keiundre Johnson in attendance today at SMU https://t.co/bCesq7haWO
Familiar face for #SMU back on campus with 4-star Tyler (Tex.) Chapel Hill ATH Demetrius Brisbon is on the Hilltop. Mustangs continue to press for the versatile prospect. https://t.co/YXJFh97km5 https://t.co/L0MQKvx5iV
Keep an eye on SMU's recruiting heading into the ACC. Already have multiple 4-star commits for 2025 and several more are on campus today among ~70 kids as part of a junior day. @AriWasserman wrote about SMU's ACC recruiting in October. https://t.co/A7rQ7BEmu9
.@RyanGilbertII1 got his first taste of Aggieland on Junior Day and was impressed with A&M's facilities and hospitality (Premium): https://t.co/fyFB5Ud4NY
4-star Terrell (Tex.) ATH Keiundre Johnson is headed to #SMU today. Big target for the Mustangs. https://t.co/9fHsV7b31o https://t.co/BlhrtwAZ2F
4-star DB Zay Gentry will be at #SMU today for an unofficial visit. https://t.co/9fHsV7b31o https://t.co/CmqaD6vB9n
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#SMU fans, check out the @On3sports and https://t.co/TDQExEKfGV App! Download now for breaking news alerts and reduced ad experience. Apple and Android available here: https://t.co/fOfu3NZk0r Just $1 for your 1st month: https://t.co/4hoDg7w4Xe #PonyUpDallas https://t.co/WPT8g1O9Sc
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New: It's set to be a huge day at #SMU for Junior Day. Just dropped more intel on multiple 4-stars visiting the Hilltop. Follow along: https://t.co/9fHsV7avbQ Just $1 for your 1st month: https://t.co/4hoDg7w4Xe #PonyUpDallas https://t.co/OiWpEtovEJ
New: #SMU's push to bring in an elite RB in 2025 continues as Kyle Cooper and Rhett Lashlee saw multiple 4-stars last week. Details: https://t.co/WQwYwK1A27 Just $1 for your 1st month: https://t.co/4hoDg7w4Xe #PonyUpDallas https://t.co/ga6GE7gIfR
New: @KevinLonnquist spoke with new #SMU commit Nathan Tilmon + has updates on key visitors hitting the Hilltop on Sunday. Scoop: https://t.co/Ygkr1AfElM Just $1 for your 1st month: https://t.co/4hoDg7w4Xe #PonyUpDallas https://t.co/sN0p1gRb5A
New: 4-star Mississippi LB Jarcoby Hopson is looking forward to getting to #LSU later this spring. The Tigers are impressing him with the new defensive staff in place. https://t.co/3I8f6ehHXD (+) Join for just $1 for your 1st month: https://t.co/e5O1x9TPal https://t.co/nSTaa8Fi0M
BREAKING: 2025 Arlington (Tex.) Mansfield Timberview DB Nathan Tilmon commits to #SMU over Michigan State, TCU, Texas Tech, Utah and others. Big addition for Scott Symons in the secondary. "Everything made SMU home." https://t.co/eZ9iZrqN2v #PonyUpDallas https://t.co/AYfwJfgGGN
4-star #SMU QB commit Keelon Russell adds a Florida offer on his unofficial visit. https://t.co/AkMxwpEjy4 https://t.co/i3IGu8Qhn5
#SMU offers 2026 El Paso (Tex.) Del Valle QB Jake Fette, one of the top signal callers in Texas. https://t.co/t5ekhl7rBt https://t.co/yc5iMIhUcM