With a decorated 3,000-yard passing season, SMU's QB Jennings enters the 2026 Heisman conversation, defying expectations with surprising oddsmaker recognition.
DALLAS - Coach Rhett Lashlee has a reputation as a developer of quarterbacks ... and the SMU Mustangs featuring QB Kevin Jennings are ready to enhance that rep in 2026.
Jennings has thrown for over 3,000 yards in each of the past two seasons and 49 touchdowns, and last season led an SMU passing attack that ranked No. 2 in the ACC and 13th in the FBS at 283 yards per game.
A 2025 peak? Jennings threw for 300 yards or more in three straight games in SMU wins over No. 10 Miami, Boston College and Louisville.
He also completed 70 percent of his passes four times last season.
How does it all add up to the oddsmakers when it comes to the 2026 Heisman Trophy race?
Jennings is in the mix.
Per one oddsmakers site, the favorites look something like this ...
Arch Manning TEX 13/2
CJ Carr ND 7/1
Dante Moore ORE 8/1
Jeremiah Smith OSU 9/1
Julian Sayin OSU 9/1
Josh Hoover IND 10/1
Gunner Stockton UGA 11/1
Sam Leavitt LSU 12/1
Jayden Maiava USC 14/1
John Mateer OKL 16/1
Marcel Reed TAMU 16/1
Brendan Sorsby TTU 18/1
LaNorris Sellers SCAR 22/1
Malachi Toney MIA 25/1
Byrum Brown AUB 28/1
Dylan Raiola ORE 28/1
Bryce Underwood MICH 33/1
Demond Williams Jr WAS 40/1
Devon Dampier UTAH 40/1
Austin Mack ALA 50/1
Keelon Russell ALA 50/1
Aaron Philo FLA 55/1
Bear Bachmeier BYU 60/1
Lincoln Kienholz LOU 60/1
Rocco Becht PSU 60/1
Kevin Jennings SMU 65/1
Austin Simmons MISS 70/1
Avery Johnson KST 70/1
Christopher Vizzina CLEM 70/1
Drew Mestemaker OKST 70/1
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele CAL 70/1
Ahmad Hardy MIZZ 80/1
Bo Jackson OSU 80/1
Kewan Lacy MISS 80/1
Noah Fifita ARIZ 80/1
Cam Coleman TEX 100/1
CJ Bailey NCST 100/1
Connor Weigman HOU 100/1
Nico Iamaleava UCLA 100/1
Anthony Colandrea NEB 125/1
Kamario Taylor MSST 125/1
Nick Marsh IND 125/1
Cutter Boley ASU 150/1
Alonza Barnett UCF 175/1
Beau Pribula UVA 175/1
Cameron Dickey TTU 175/1
Katin Houser ILL 175/1
Kenny Minchey UK 175/1
Malik Washington UMD 175/1
Mark Fletcher Jr MIA 175/1
Charlie Becker IND 200/1
Ethan Grunkemeyer VT 200/1
KJ Jackson ARK 200/1
Nate Frazier UGA 200/1
Ryan Williams ALA 200/1
As you can see, the wise guys don't see Jennings as being on the same level as, say, Texas QB Arch Manning. But Jennings is viewed as being a top-30 contender.
How can he make the climb?
To start the 2025 season, Jennings threw at least one interception in five straight games while throwing 13 touchdowns.
Jennings finished last season with a dismal three interceptions and zero touchdowns in the bowl game win over Arizona, as the Mustangs finished 9-4 on the season. Three of their four losses were by three points or fewer against Baylor, Wake Forest and California.
After a loss to Baylor in Week 2, the Mustangs dropped out of the Top 25 poll after being anointed with a No. 16 ranking in the preseason poll.
For the rest of the weekly rankings, SMU was a ghost.
So ... the product of Texas high school powerhouse South Oak Cliff - who led his team to a state championship as a senior - needs to cut down on the interceptions and keep winning games.
Jennings will have new receivers to throw to in 2026, with Yannick Smith (East Carolina) and Jalen Hale (Alabama) transferring into the program.
Lashlee and quarterbacks coach D’Eriq King must work with Jennings and figure out a way to limit the mistakes and turnovers. If they can do that, Lashlee and the Mustangs can continue their winning ways that have defined his tenure on The Hilltop. ... and mybe the QB will rise in the ranks of Heisman candidates.