As bowl season progresses, players will weigh their options. Whether to stay in school or attempt to ply their trade on Sundays via the draft becomes a priority. Meanwhile, teams wait in limbo for answers. Depending on the position, any movement could alter a program’s culture and roster composition.
SMU QB Spurns Draft, Stays in School
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings faced a significant decision: enter the NFL draft or remain in college. Following a breakout season, the draft-eligible quarterback needed to make his choice. His decision could set off a chain of events affecting not only his own future but also that of the Mustangs.
By choosing to stay at SMU, Jennings positions his team for a potential leap next season. After an 8-4 campaign that followed two straight 11-win seasons, the program faces a pivotal opportunity to retool and re-energize. Statistically, Jennings is already among the top three quarterbacks in SMU history with 7,985 passing yards. He addressed his return for his senior year, simply saying, “It’s home.”
Kevin Jennings confirms he will return to SMU next season and finish his career as a Mustang.
“It’s home.”
— Lia Assimakopoulos (@Lassimak) December 18, 2025
Jennings’ skill set fits exactly what head coach Rhett Lashlee wants to accomplish.
“He’s (Jennings) a winner. He’s always been a winner. He won a state championship in high school in the state of Texas… that’s like harder than winning a national championship in college football sometimes. So, he’s always been a winner, and he’s always had the intangibles. You’ve seen his playmaking ability. I think he’s really matured this offseason, knowing he’s the guy. ”
Jennings’ season featured both highs and lows. On the positive side, he completed 66.1% of his passes for 3,363 yards and 26 touchdowns. SMU’s upset win over Miami stood out, while potential victories over Clemson and Louisville could have further cemented the Mustangs’ résumé. However, puzzling losses to Wake Forest and California ended their playoff hopes. PFSN ranked SMU’s offense 46th in the FBS in production and efficiency.
That ranking falls short of Lashlee’s vision. He wants to balance tempo with ball security. Jennings led the conference with 10 interceptions and, at times, forced throws into tight coverage. His playmaking featured both spectacular highlights and risky decisions.
SMU is adding 17 new recruits, including seven skill-position players Lashlee plans to integrate into the offense. The Mustangs are also expected to be active in the transfer portal.
Defensively, SMU performed well, allowing 20.7 points per game while recording 34 sacks and 17 interceptions, with three returned for touchdowns. Further improvement could come in key areas, such as reducing opponents’ 35.4% third-down conversion rate, to help the program take the next step.
Jennings returns with a clear mission: reclaim a College Football Playoff spot. Whether SMU succeeds will likely depend on his arm, legs, and decision-making. Can the Mustangs claw their way back to the top of the ACC?
