The Mustangs were dealt an injury blow with receiver Link Rhodes suffering a torn ACL in camp, and is now out for the season.
The SMU Mustangs were having a good camp as they built up to what many think is going to be a good 2026 season under Rhett Lashlee before the football gods intervened.
Two season-ending injuries to offensive lineman Abel Hoopii and then receiver Link Rhodes were a serious dampener on the offseason for the Mustangs.
Seen as two players who were going to have a big say in 2026 with Hoopii pushing for a starting role at left guard, and Rhodes both on offense and special teams, but now the pair are lost for the season.
With Rhodes' ability to also run the football as a running back, it was clear that Lashlee and the coaching staff had plans for him to be utilized along with Kendrick Raphael and Dramekco Green, but that plan is now clearly out the window.
But what does the injury to Rhodes now do to the running back room?
"It just hurts the depth a little," Lashlee said. "I feel really good about Kendrick Raphael and Dramekco Green, kind of that one two [punch] like we thought. I think they both had a really good camp. I think both Christian Rhodes and Link Rhodes were going to compete to get carries and definitely help us on special teams.
"From an explosive standpoint, those two are about as explosive athletes we have on the team. So, losing Link hurts us a lot on special teams. He's a great special teams player and was going to get some opportunities at running back. He had a really good camp. Hate that for him."
It will have to be a case of next man up, and Christian Rhodes, who wasn't expected to be a serious player in terms of snaps for the Mustangs, now might see himself become a key cog in the offensive machine as a freshman.
So while it is only one injury, given that Rhodes could be used in three different positions (receiver, running back, and special teams), it does force a shuffling of the deck for Lashlee.
Having stated this has the potential to be one of the most talented SMU rosters under his guidance, Lashlee will no doubt have a plan of attack to overcome Rhodes' injury.
Yes, it hurts the depth, but I get the feeling SMU will be just fine in 2026.
