SMU football and basketball landed nationally ranked transfer classes, but Rhett Lashlee’s portal haul may define the Mustangs’ 2026 season.
SMU transfer portal rankings show two programs trying to level up in the ACC, but the stakes aren’t equal.
The Mustangs’ football class is ranked No. 25 nationally by On3 and No. 36 by 247Sports, while SMU basketball checks in at No. 18 by On3 and No. 39 by 247Sports.
That tells the story pretty clearly ... both programs added talent, but football needs its newcomers to hit immediately.
Rhett Lashlee’s team is trying to stay in the ACC title and College Football Playoff conversation after losing major production.
SMU had 16 incoming football transfers listed by 247Sports, including wide receivers Yannick Smith from East Carolina and Jalen Hale from Alabama, running back Kendrick Raphael from Cal and tight ends Theo Melin Öhrström, Randy Pittman Jr. and Trey Jackson.
The bigger concern is defense.
SMU lost all four starting defensive linemen and six of its top eight tacklers, making players like Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder from Kansas State, Jarvis Lee from USF, Jayvon Thomas from Texas A&M, Jamal Anderson from Clemson and Ira Singleton IV from USF potential instant-impact pieces.
If that group doesn’t stabilize the front seven, the Mustangs could take a real step back.
Basketball is different, but still fascinating. Andy Enfield’s transfer class includes Rowan Brumbaugh from Tulane, Nic Codie from Texas, David Terrell Jr. from North Texas, Jaylin Stewart from UConn and Johan Munch from Oregon State.
On3 views the group as a top-20 class, with three four-star transfers.
Because basketball rotations are smaller, one transfer can change everything. But SMU hoops is still building its new ACC identity, while football is trying to protect top-25 relevance right now.
That’s the edge of this portal cycle. Basketball added building blocks. Football added players it may have to depend on from Day 1.
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