With continuity, experience, and a stacked supporting cast, Kevin Jennings is poised to unleash his full potential for SMU in 2026.
If you’re looking for the biggest SMU football storyline heading into 2026, start under center.
Kevin Jennings has been trending upward since he first arrived on the Hilltop, but the pieces around him are lining up in a way that could make this his most comfortable - and most productive - season yet.
The first reason is simple ... stability. Jennings has grown in Rhett Lashley’s system and will again operate with the same offensive voice guiding him. In today’s college football, where quarterbacks often reboot their playbooks every year, that kind of continuity is a real advantage. Jennings has already shown he can settle in, take command, and play poised football even when things aren’t perfect.
The second reason is experience. Jennings isn’t stepping into 2026 as a “potential” starter — he’s a battle-tested leader. He’s navigated roster turnover before, worked with new faces, and still kept SMU’s offense functional. That matters because college football is basically a yearly roster shuffle now, and veteran quarterbacks who can adapt usually win the most games.
The third reason is the supporting cast. SMU’s skill group looks built to make life easier on its quarterback. Jaylen Cooper is expected to take a sophomore leap after flashing as a freshman. Yannik Smith arrives with real belief from the program that he’s ready for ACC-level speed. The Mustangs also added tight ends Theo Melin Ohrstrom and Randy Pittman Jr., giving Jennings more reliable middle-of-the-field options and red-zone targets.
And then there’s Kendrick Raphael, who’s being pegged as a potential do-it-all weapon capable of piling up around 1,400 scrimmage yards.
Add in Yamir Knight’s explosiveness, and it’s clear Jennings won’t have to play hero ball every snap. He just has to run the system, distribute, and take his shots when they’re there.
Put it together and you get a quarterback in year three, in the same scheme, with more playmakers and more balance. That’s a recipe SMU fans should be excited about in 2026.