Jalen Brewster was on The Hilltop this past weekend for a visit with the SMU Mustangs.
Jalen Brewster, a 5-star defensive lineman from the 2027 class, took an official visit to SMU this weekend, giving the Mustangs what many believe to be a legit shot to flip the top-rated Texas Tech commit.
The nearby Cedar Hill product is the No. 1-ranked defensive lineman in the class, and by most recruiting outlets, he's considered to be the best player in the entire country regardless of position.
Brewster committed to the new Big 12 champion Red Raiders in early October, just before Tech's first-ever appearance in the CFP. Since then, rumors of Brewster's commitment status have wavered following coaching changes on Joey McGuire's staff in Lubbock.
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SMU coach Rhett Lashlee has reportedly been involved in Brewster's recruitment for a while as the Dallas native launched up platform rankings. The 6-3, 300-pounder also visited the new national champion Indiana Hoosiers the weekend prior to coming on The Hilltop.
Brewster posed for photos decked out in Ponies gear, with the caption "NEW DALLAS ✌🏽", seemingly suggesting the newfound hype around the Mustangs program since Lashlee has made the impact that he has.
On3 is calling SMU a "big contender" to flip Brewster from Texas Tech to his hometown Mustangs. Although McGuire has rebuilt the Red Raiders into a national power through oil-funded NIL packages, the Ponies are thought to be just as heavy hitters, given the hometown charm and opportunity for Brewster to impact winning in an ACC that SMU is suddenly a strong contender in.
"It’s all about the people really," Brewster previously said about his commitment to Texas Tech last fall. "The culture out there is different. The players play all together … It’s really exciting knowing they went from being a nobody to now being a top contender."
While the Red Raiders extended McGuire and his two hot-shot coordinators after a historic 2025 season, arguably the biggest loss is the departure of defensive line coach Zarnell Fitch and D-line analyst CJ Iu.
Rivals has Brewster as the No. 1 ranked player in the 2027 class going into the summer before his senior year. Scouting director Charles Power had this to say about the SMU target:
"Uber-athletic defensive line prospect with true game-wrecking ability. Measured in at around 6-foot-3, 300 pounds prior to his junior season. Tests as an elite athlete in the combine setting, easily cracking 5.0 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Carries that athleticism over to the field where he has flashes of dominance on Friday nights. Lines up all over the defensive line for Cedar Hill (Texas) while facing top competition. Dangerous pass rusher from any spot. Combines explosive get-off with the movement skills of a much smaller player, carrying elite testing numbers directly onto the field. Consistently collapses pockets and disrupts plays before they develop...
"Has legitimate game-wrecking moments on film. The quickness to dart into the backfield and the speed to hunt down ball carriers is eye-popping. May not possess premier length. Father was a third-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys. Tracking as the top defensive line prospect early on in the 2027 cycle with the upside to be an early NFL Draft pick."
