Charles Woods delivered a breakout defensive performance while Rashee Rice supplied explosive offense in a productive NFL weekend for former SMU Mustangs.
Former SMU football players were scattered across the NFL again in Week 2, and two Mustangs gave Dallas fans particularly strong performances to follow.
Charles Woods may have produced the most impressive day of the group.
The New England Patriots defensive back piled up 10 tackles, including eight solo stops, and broke up a pass in a dominant 20-3 victory over Pittsburgh. Woods had recorded only one tackle in the season opener, making Sunday a significant early-season jump in both production and responsibility.
Then came Rashee Rice in prime time.
Rice caught four passes for 83 yards as Kansas City survived Indianapolis 33-30 in overtime. His 20.8 yards per reception demonstrated the big-play dimension that makes him such an important piece of Patrick Mahomes’ offense. Through two games, Rice has six catches for 102 yards and a touchdown.
Denver receiver Courtland Sutton helped the Broncos get into the win column, catching three passes for 25 yards in a 20-13 victory over Jacksonville. The numbers weren’t spectacular, but Sutton remained part of Denver’s regular receiving rotation.
Several other Mustangs handled less glamorous roles.
Tampa Bay defensive lineman Elijah Roberts registered one solo tackle in the Buccaneers’ 23-19 loss to Cleveland. Tennessee tight end Kylen Granson played but did not record a reception against Philadelphia, while Baltimore rookie tight end Matthew Hibner remained in a limited role against New Orleans.
Houston center Evan Brown continues to be one of the less visible but important former Mustangs in the league. Brown entered Week 2 with a strong pass-blocking profile, having allowed no pressures or sacks through his first 79 offensive snaps of the season.
Some former SMU players weren’t available.
Cleveland defensive tackle Elijah Chatman is on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury, while veteran New Orleans long snapper Zach Wood is expected to miss several weeks with a calf injury.
Kansas City running back Brashard Smith was active but did not record an offensive touch against Indianapolis.
For SMU, the biggest takeaway from Week 2 was the continued variety of its NFL footprint. Rice remains the headline offensive weapon, but Woods’ breakout afternoon in New England showed the Mustangs are producing impact players on both sides of the football.
