The Mustangs' running back room is shaping up nicely, with a pair of freshmen making coaches take notice.
The SMU Mustangs are seen as one of the teams to beat in the ACC, and the offense is a big reason why.
Kevin Jennings is back, and the Mustangs have some other weapons ready to set college football alight, such as Kendrick Raphael, Jalen Cooper, Yannick Smith, and Yamir Knight.
But for a team to sustain a title challenge like Rhett Lashlee wants year on year, the depth of your roster has to be good.
It won't help anyone if you have great starters and then no depth behind them, because, as we know, it takes everyone to win a title.
And that is where freshman running backs Christian Rhodes and EJ Kelly come in.
Seen as ones to prop up the running back depth chart, the pair have been flashing in camp and have even gotten the attention of coach Kyle Cooper.
"Yeah, they took advantage of that summer window of OTAs and from day one of that, had a had a workmanlike attitude," Cooper said. "Christian flashed when he was able to go, flashed early and it was a different type of power and speed with him. Just bringing him along mentally was going to be the forefront of our mind and our goal in that room.
"Then, EJ, we're working on him going full speed all the time because you see him burst, be explosive. It's that smooth suddenness that he has, and just challenging him to go full speed all the time. And when he does that, he's going to be an electric player."
With Raphael and then Dramekco Green at the top of the depth chart, it isn't known how much the freshman pair will see the field in 2026.
But one thing is for sure, they will be ready for their opportunity.
Why? Because stacking good days in camp is crucial. Learning the playbook and building chemistry with their teammates will make it easier when/if they are asked to step up in a game.
Of course, fans hope that doesn't happen because it will mean an injury to Raphael or Green, but the Mustangs, it appears, are building good running back depth this offseason.
And who knows, if they keep on this trajectory, we might see them on the field in 2026 as genuine options on offense.
