SMU strategically used the portal to sharpen its roster, adding seasoned talent and depth for a sustained ACC push, not just a quick fix.
The transfer portal chaos has finally settled, and for the SMU Mustangs, the dust reveals a roster that looks built for sustainability, not desperation. That alone says a lot about where the program sits heading into 2026.
SMU has quietly become one of the most stable winners in Texas college football.
Thirty-one wins over the last three seasons and a strong start to life in the ACC have shifted expectations. The portal, once a lifeline, is now more of a scalpel.
Under Rhett Lashlee, the Mustangs targeted specific needs rather than chasing stars. With quarterback Kevin Jennings returning, the priority was clear: reload skill talent around him and fortify the defense with experience and size.
That approach starts in the backfield.
Kendrick Raphael arrives as a proven, physical runner capable of handling volume. SMU needed answers after losing its top rushers, and Raphael brings not just production but reliability - something that matters when breaking in younger backs alongside him.
Up front, Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder might be the most important addition of the class, even if his name doesn’t dominate highlight reels. Defensive tackles who can eat space change everything.
His presence should free up linebackers and help stabilize a defensive front that needed more push against ACC offensive lines.
Offensively, tight end was a major area of concern, and SMU attacked it aggressively.
Randy Pittman headlines a trio of additions at the position, giving Lashlee flexibility to keep the tight end central to his system. Whether as blockers, red-zone targets, or safety valves, this group will be asked to do a lot—and Pittman’s experience suggests he’s ready.
The real intrigue comes from the sleepers.
Defensive end Marques White doesn’t arrive from a powerhouse, but his production says he knows how to get to the quarterback.
With SMU replacing key pass rushers, his veteran presence could pay off quickly. On the outside, receiver Yannick Smith adds size and experience to a young receiving room, offering Jennings a dependable option in critical situations.
SMU didn’t overspend portal capital or chase flash. Instead, it added depth at nearly every defensive level, insurance at offensive skill spots, and competition across the two-deep.
That’s why a “B” grade from Dave Campbell's Texas Football feels right—but also conservative. Portal classes often aren’t judged correctly until November.
If even a handful of these pieces hit, SMU will look less like a newcomer in the ACC and more like a long-term contender.
For the Mustangs, the portal isn’t about survival anymore. It’s about refinement—and that’s a good place to be.