The early signing period for college football recruits is officially a week away, and SMU currently has 11 commits in its 2020 class. Look for SMU to add anywhere from 5-7 members to the recruiting class, then build the class with transfer players.
As we prepare for the early signing period, here are a few potential 2020 recruits to keep an eye on. All athletes are listed in alphabetical order.
JUCO CB Jakorian Bennett | Mobile, Alabama/Hutchinson (Kan.) CC
5-11, 193
SMU is a school to watch for Bennett, and he took an official visit to the Hilltop back in July. However, Bennett's stock has risen tremendously, and he now has south of 30 offers. He's a super-fast defensive back who can play cornerback and safety. If SMU wins the recruiting battle, it will have beaten the SEC and ACC.
JUCO DT Devin Drew | Kansas City, Missouri/Iowa Western CC
6-3, 275
Drew is a three-star lineman with a very high ceiling. He took an official visit to SMU back in late July and has spoken highly of the program. Texas Tech will be a tough opponent for SMU in this recruiting race, but if the Mustangs manage to land Drew, look for him to see immediate playing time for the 2020 season.
DT Herbert Gums | Diboll, Texas/Diboll HS
6-2, 280
Watching Gums during his high school career was a treat. He's lined up at every position from running back to linebacker to defensive tackle. His size makes him wanted, but his quickness makes him intriguing. Gums has yet to report an official offer from SMU, but he has said there is definite interest on both sides.
JUCO LB Jamoi Hodge | Winston-Salem, North Carolina/Independence (Kan.) CC
6-2, 215
Nine days after committing to Nebraska, Hodge parted ways with the program. It should be noted that Hodge took an official visit to SMU days before the decommitment, and he really bonded with the players and coaches. As someone very interested in music production, he also got to connect with one of Dallas' top rap artists, Big Tuck.
WR Thad Johnson | Beaumont, Texas/West Brook HS
One of the top targets for SMU is a speedy three-star receiver with 20 offers. He had 71 catches for 1,231 yards and 14 touchdowns through 11 games for West Brook. Johnson was very optimistic about SMU after his official visit in October. What could be even more important is that the school won over his family, as well.
JUCO DE DeVere Levelston | DeSoto, Texas/Tyler JC
6-4, 250
Levelston may be the closest thing to "must-get" for SMU's class from a defensive lineman perspective. He checks all the boxes in that he's a pass-rushing lineman, he'll have four years to play three seasons, and he's a hometown guy -- which would further help SMU with recruiting the city. He took an official visit the final week of November and described it as "electrifying."
WR Mason Mangum | Austin, Texas/Westlake HS
6-0, 175
A three-star receiver, Mangum's focus right now is on winning a state championship, as Austin Westlake will compete in the UIL Class 6A Division II semifinals this weekend. Through 14 games, he's caught 55 passes for 802 yards and 10 touchdowns. SMU is hoping to keep him in state, as Cal and Arkansas are schools to watch.
CB Ennis Rakestraw | Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville HS
6-0, 170
Rakestraw is chasing championship gold with Duncanville, as the Panthers are in the UIL Class 6A Division I state semifinals for the second consecutive year. He's shown that he's a shutdown cornerback and would be a solid pickup for the Mustangs. The three-star defender also is coached by Reginald Samples -- father of SMU assistant Ra'Shaad Samples.
WR Savion Williams | Marshall, Texas/Marshall HS
6-4, 200
A pure athlete, Williams did everything at Marshall. He was a receiver, he played quarterback and he also saw time on the defensive side of the ball. His frame and ability to track the football allows him to be a playmaker at the next level, and SMU would love to have the opportunity to mold the three-star talent.
DE Robert Wooten | Stafford, Texas/Stafford HS
6-3, 230
A one-time Arizona commit, Wooten brings explosiveness and a high motor at the weak-side defensive end position. Wooten has kept all of his options open, and SMU will be battling Missouri and Virginia Tech to land him. He officially visited SMU in May but was very impressed with his most recent trip to Virginia Tech.
As we prepare for the early signing period, here are a few potential 2020 recruits to keep an eye on. All athletes are listed in alphabetical order.
JUCO CB Jakorian Bennett | Mobile, Alabama/Hutchinson (Kan.) CC
5-11, 193
SMU is a school to watch for Bennett, and he took an official visit to the Hilltop back in July. However, Bennett's stock has risen tremendously, and he now has south of 30 offers. He's a super-fast defensive back who can play cornerback and safety. If SMU wins the recruiting battle, it will have beaten the SEC and ACC.
JUCO DT Devin Drew | Kansas City, Missouri/Iowa Western CC
6-3, 275
Drew is a three-star lineman with a very high ceiling. He took an official visit to SMU back in late July and has spoken highly of the program. Texas Tech will be a tough opponent for SMU in this recruiting race, but if the Mustangs manage to land Drew, look for him to see immediate playing time for the 2020 season.
DT Herbert Gums | Diboll, Texas/Diboll HS
6-2, 280
Watching Gums during his high school career was a treat. He's lined up at every position from running back to linebacker to defensive tackle. His size makes him wanted, but his quickness makes him intriguing. Gums has yet to report an official offer from SMU, but he has said there is definite interest on both sides.
JUCO LB Jamoi Hodge | Winston-Salem, North Carolina/Independence (Kan.) CC
6-2, 215
Nine days after committing to Nebraska, Hodge parted ways with the program. It should be noted that Hodge took an official visit to SMU days before the decommitment, and he really bonded with the players and coaches. As someone very interested in music production, he also got to connect with one of Dallas' top rap artists, Big Tuck.
WR Thad Johnson | Beaumont, Texas/West Brook HS
One of the top targets for SMU is a speedy three-star receiver with 20 offers. He had 71 catches for 1,231 yards and 14 touchdowns through 11 games for West Brook. Johnson was very optimistic about SMU after his official visit in October. What could be even more important is that the school won over his family, as well.
JUCO DE DeVere Levelston | DeSoto, Texas/Tyler JC
6-4, 250
Levelston may be the closest thing to "must-get" for SMU's class from a defensive lineman perspective. He checks all the boxes in that he's a pass-rushing lineman, he'll have four years to play three seasons, and he's a hometown guy -- which would further help SMU with recruiting the city. He took an official visit the final week of November and described it as "electrifying."
WR Mason Mangum | Austin, Texas/Westlake HS
6-0, 175
A three-star receiver, Mangum's focus right now is on winning a state championship, as Austin Westlake will compete in the UIL Class 6A Division II semifinals this weekend. Through 14 games, he's caught 55 passes for 802 yards and 10 touchdowns. SMU is hoping to keep him in state, as Cal and Arkansas are schools to watch.
CB Ennis Rakestraw | Duncanville, Texas/Duncanville HS
6-0, 170
Rakestraw is chasing championship gold with Duncanville, as the Panthers are in the UIL Class 6A Division I state semifinals for the second consecutive year. He's shown that he's a shutdown cornerback and would be a solid pickup for the Mustangs. The three-star defender also is coached by Reginald Samples -- father of SMU assistant Ra'Shaad Samples.
WR Savion Williams | Marshall, Texas/Marshall HS
6-4, 200
A pure athlete, Williams did everything at Marshall. He was a receiver, he played quarterback and he also saw time on the defensive side of the ball. His frame and ability to track the football allows him to be a playmaker at the next level, and SMU would love to have the opportunity to mold the three-star talent.
DE Robert Wooten | Stafford, Texas/Stafford HS
6-3, 230
A one-time Arizona commit, Wooten brings explosiveness and a high motor at the weak-side defensive end position. Wooten has kept all of his options open, and SMU will be battling Missouri and Virginia Tech to land him. He officially visited SMU in May but was very impressed with his most recent trip to Virginia Tech.
