BJ Edwards earned another year of eligibility, giving SMU a chance to bring back an ACC steals leader who could steady Andy Enfield’s backcourt in 2026-27, too.
DALLAS - SMU basketball just received the kind of August surprise that could dramatically change its 2026-27 ceiling.
BJ Edwards has been granted an additional season of college eligibility, reopening the possibility of a reunion between the veteran guard and Andy Enfield’s Mustangs.
A Colorado court ruling reportedly allows members of the 2022 high school graduating class to fall under the new five-years-to-play-five eligibility structure.
Edwards fits that timeline, giving him a path back to college basketball for one more season.
His return to SMU isn’t finalized, but the Mustangs should be pushing hard to make it happen.
Grayson Singleton of the Locked On SMU podcast highlighted the development and explained why Edwards would fill one of the biggest remaining holes on Enfield’s roster.
Singleton also noted that SMU is working aggressively to bring the experienced guard back to Dallas.
Edwards wasn’t merely another rotation player last season. He averaged 12.7 points, shot 37 percent from 3-point range, led the ACC in steals and finished seventh in the conference in assists.
That combination of scoring, playmaking and perimeter defense is difficult to replace through one transfer or an unproven freshman.
It’s even more valuable now.
Projected lead guard Rowan Brumbaugh is expected to miss four to six weeks, creating immediate questions about SMU’s ball-handling depth.
David Terrell could take on more creation duties, while freshman Cam Lomax brings intriguing upside, but neither offers Edwards’ proven experience directing an offense against high-major competition.
Edwards would give Enfield options. He can initiate the offense, work without the ball, pressure opposing guards and defend multiple perimeter positions.
He also knows the program, understands the coaching staff and wouldn’t need months to learn where he fits.
The complication is that SMU might not be the only interested program.
Edwards recently competed in NBA Summer League and should attract attention from college contenders looking for a ready-made veteran guard.
His production, defensive toughness and newly available eligibility could make him one of the most coveted late additions in the country.
That makes this more than a feel-good reunion story. It’s a recruiting battle SMU needs to win.
Bringing BJ Edwards back wouldn’t guarantee the Mustangs a championship season. It would, however, give Enfield a proven two-way guard capable of turning a talented roster into a far more complete one.
