SMU has roughly two dozen former Mustangs on NFL rosters entering 2026, led by Courtland Sutton, Rashee Rice and a growing wave of recent draft picks.
SMU football will have a strong NFL presence when the 2026 season kicks off, with roughly two dozen former Mustangs attached to professional rosters across the league.
The group includes established veterans, recent draft picks and several players still fighting for larger roles on active rosters and practice squads.
For a program that has steadily raised its national profile, the NFL footprint is another sign of how much SMU has changed.
The biggest names are easy to identify.
Courtland Sutton remains one of Denver’s top offensive weapons and is entering his ninth NFL season. The 6-4 receiver has developed into one of the most recognizable former Mustangs in the league.
Rashee Rice is another major headliner. Rice is on Kansas City’s active roster and continues to be one of the Chiefs’ most important receiving weapons.
He’s joined in Kansas City by former SMU running back Brashard Smith, giving the Mustangs multiple players in one of the NFL’s highest-profile organizations.
SMU also has representation across both sides of the ball.
Evan Brown is with Houston, Grant Calcaterra is in Philadelphia and Kylen Granson is with Tennessee. On defense, Elijah Chatman is with Cleveland, Brandon Stephens is with the New York Jets and Jordan Miller is in Denver.
The rookie and developmental group is especially interesting.
Former Mustang Matthew Hibner is with Baltimore, while Jeffrey M’ba is on Washington’s developmental roster. Defensive players Jared Harrison-Hunte, Cameron Robertson and Keveion’ta Spears are all with Arizona, giving the Cardinals a noticeable SMU presence.
There’s also a local connection.
Former SMU wide receiver Jordan Hudson is with the Dallas Cowboys organization, while Shane Buechele remains in the NFL with Buffalo.
A few players are on practice squads or developmental designations rather than active 53-man rosters, so the exact total can fluctuate as Week 1 transactions continue.
Still, the bigger story is straightforward.
SMU is no longer sending only an occasional standout to the NFL.
With veterans such as Sutton and Rice leading the way and a growing group of younger Mustangs entering the league, the program’s path from Dallas to Sundays is becoming much more established.
