SMU men’s tennis adds top recruit Jacob Hewitt, a nationally ranked junior with ITF success and Texas roots, to the Mustangs’ 2026 roster.
SMU men’s tennis recruiting just scored a major win, as head coach Grant Chen secured a commitment from highly regarded junior standout Jacob Hewitt for the 2026 SMU tennis roster.
The San Antonio native will arrive on The Hilltop in the fall of 2026, bringing national recognition and international tournament experience with him.
For the Mustangs, adding Hewitt is about more than just rankings—it’s about landing a player with the tools to impact the lineup immediately.
Hewitt enters the college ranks as the No. 84 overall recruit in the nation, according to junior recruiting rankings. The talented prospect is currently ranked No. 59 nationally by the USTA and sits third in the Mid-Atlantic Section, a region known for producing elite tennis talent.
His resume already includes some impressive milestones.
Hewitt has climbed as high as No. 11 in the national USTA rankings, proving he can compete with the top junior players in the country. He also captured a Silver Ball in doubles at the USTA National Indoor Championships, one of the premier junior tournaments in the United States.
On the international stage, Hewitt has reached a career-high ranking of No. 641 in the ITF junior rankings, giving him valuable experience competing against global talent.
One of his biggest early victories came when he won the ITF J30 tournament in Dallas, showcasing both his competitive mindset and ability to perform under pressure.
Despite traveling the country growing up in a military family, Hewitt always considered Texas home. His father, Brigadier General Jim Hewitt of the U.S. Air Force, relocated the family several times during Jacob’s childhood.
But when the family settled in San Antonio, tennis quickly became the sport that defined his path.
By age 11, Hewitt had fully committed to tennis and began training seriously. His early development included work at the Shavano Park Tennis Club and the San Antonio Tennis Academy, programs known for developing strong junior competitors.
Currently, Hewitt trains at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland, one of the top development facilities in the country.
The academy has produced stars like Frances Tiafoe, Robin Montgomery, Denis Kudla, and Hailey Baptiste.
For SMU and coach Grant Chen, Hewitt represents the type of player who can help elevate the program.
And for Hewitt, returning to Texas to compete at the college level feels like the perfect next chapter.