Tag: SMU Mustangs

Sooners land commitment from SMU transfer center Branson Hickman

Former SMU center Branson Hickman committed to the Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday.

With spring ball wrapping up, Oklahoma enters the break with a clear understanding of what their roster needs are before they return to campus for summer workouts.

One of those needs was filled on Sunday as the Oklahoma Sooners landed a commitment from former SMU center Branson Hickman.

Hickman entered the transfer portal in January and already holds his degree from SMU. Oklahoma reached out to him after Troy Everett’s injury, and he visited for the spring game. The visit went well enough this weekend that he committed. With more than 2,400 snaps to his ledger, he’s all but assured a leg up on starting at center this season.

Depth at the center was a significant issue when Everett went down. Joshua Bates was good in the spring game, but the addition of Hickman allows the Sooners to continue to be patient with Bates as he develops.

Hickman spent four seasons with the Mustangs. He started the final 33 games, including 12 in 2022 and all 14 this past season. This past season, he was named to the Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List, which honors the best centers in the NCAA. He was also a Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference selection this year.

Hickman may be on the smaller side, playing just under 300 pounds this past year. However, his football IQ and technique have been lauded. He should add a lot of stability to the Sooners’ offensive line as they try to stabilize it in front of new starting quarterback Jackson Arnold.

Oklahoma’s commitment to improving their line play before entering the SEC continues with this commitment.

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College golfer signs not one, but two incorrect scorecards on same day at Pinehurst No. 2

Hopefully down the road, it will be a funny story to tell. 

File this under something you don’t see every day.

SMU’s Areen Aggarwal was in the lineup earlier this week at the Wake Forest Invitational at Pinehurst No. 2, site of the 2024 U.S. Open. The freshman played 36 holes on the opening day of play Monday before finishing up the tournament with an 18-hole final round on Tuesday.

However, neither of his scores counted toward the team score on the first day.

Aggarwal signed not one, but two incorrect scorecards on the first day of play, disqualifying both of his scores. It cost SMU 10 shots in the team competition over the first two rounds.

In the final round, Aggarwal shot even-par 70, the second-best score of the day for the Mustangs, which finished at 30 over and solo 10th of 12 teams. Without the incorrect scorecards, SMU would’ve placed sixth.

A tough situation, for sure, but Aggarwal bounced back strong on Tuesday. Hopefully down the road, it will be a funny story to tell.

Men’s Basketball: Duke’s ACC opponents for 2024 are set

The ACC released its conference opponent schedule for 2024-25 on Thursday evening. See who Duke will host and travel to here.

The Duke Blue Devils have officially entered the month of March, which means things will get serious for them on the basketball court. The Blue Devils have just three regular-season games remaining before they play in the ACC Tournament and, after that, the NCAA Tournament for a chance to win the program’s sixth national title.

Even while that takes place, there’s an eye on next year’s team as the Blue Devils discover who their conference opponents will be for the 2024-25 season.

Next year is a big year for the ACC as it welcomes three new teams to the conference: SMU, Stanford, and California.

The expansion means some tweaks to the normal ACC schedule, however, and the conference revealed each team’s ACC foes for the 2024-25 season on Thursday.

Duke’s 20-game schedule for 2024-25 features two two-game series (home and away) versus its two current partners, North Carolina and Wake Forest. The Blue Devils are 1-2 currently this year against both teams. They also have a home-and-away series with the Miami Hurricanes for next season.

Duke will host California at Cameron Indoor for the first time. The last time the schools played was in 2019 when Duke blew Cal out by 35 points in an 87-52 win in the 2K Empire Classic.

Florida State, NC State, Notre Dame, Pitt, Stanford, and Virginia Tech will all come to Cameron next year. Duke will travel for road games at Boston College, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville, SMU, Syracuse, and Virginia next season.

Duke is 3-1 all-time against SMU in basketball. The Blue Devils’ road trip to SMU is only their second all-time, having played in Dallas on Dec. 8, 1977 – a game which Duke won by 24 points 91-67.

The ACC recently announced that, with the conference expanding to 18 members, only the top 15 teams in the conference will participate in the ACC Tournament next year, which is set to be played March 11-15 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The full schedule will be announced early this fall, equipped with specific game dates, times, and networks.

Projecting the five highest-rated Blue Devils in EA Sports’ College Football 25

With EA Sports College Football 25 on the horizon, here’s our ranking of who we think will be the five highest-rated Duke players in the game.

EA Sports has officially done it. They have successfully built the momentum for the latest installment in their beloved college football video game series. It’s been a long wait, but with the teaser trailer they dropped earlier in February and the confirmation early this week that every FBS team had opted in for the video game, it’s finally starting to feel real. The official reveal of the game will come in May.

According to ESPN, Thursday was also the first day that college football players could begin opting to participate in the video game. The report said players would receive $600 and a free game copy.With the momentum of this game hitting a fever pitch and the fact that we are getting closer to release, we decided to look at how Duke may look when the game is released.Without further ado, here’s a look at who we think will be the five highest-rated Blue Devils in the new game when it releases this summer.

ACC announces 15 teams will make men’s and women’s basketball tournament despite expansion

The ACC announced on Wednesday that the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will remain at 15 teams, despite the conference expanding to 18 teams.

The ACC announced on Wednesday that only 15 teams will play in the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments despite the conference’s expansion to 18 teams, starting in 2024-25.

The resolution came during the conference’s annual winter meetings, according to a release from the conference.

The ACC reiterated in the announcement that each team’s conference schedule will remain at 20 games for men and 18 for women.

The ACC is adding California, Stanford, and SMU next season to the conference’s current 15 teams.

The current format of the ACC basketball tournament gives the top four seeds a double-bye and the next five seeds a first-round bye, with the final six seeds playing in the opening round.

The conference also recently announced that Charlotte and Greensboro, North Carolina, will be the next two host cities for the ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament.

Oklahoma receives crystal balls for 3-star Arkansas prospect Marcus Wimberly

Oklahoma has landed three crystal ball projections in favor of landing three-star S Marcus Wimberly.

Oklahoma’s safety position for 2024 has the best talent it has had in quite some time. [autotag]Peyton Bowen[/autotag], a former five-star prospect, is set to take over as a full-time starter. At the same time, Oklahoma returned [autotag]Billy Bowman[/autotag], one of the nation’s most dynamic defensive playmakers and future NFL Draft pick.

[autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] will be the first to spell either of them. Talented athlete Erik McCarty will be making his return after suffering a knee injury in the final game of his high school career, which forced him to red shirt his freshman season.

Recruiting has been solid, and now true freshmen [autotag]Reggie Powers[/autotag], [autotag]Michael Boganowski[/autotag], Jaydan Hardy, and Mykel Patterson-McDonald are set to join the mix.

Oklahoma has no safety commitments for the 2025 class, but 247Sports director of national recruiting Steve Wiltfong believes that may end soon if his recent crystal ball prediction is any indication.

Tuesday morning, Wiltfong logged a crystal ball for Oklahoma to land three-star safety [autotag]Marcus Wimberly[/autotag] out of Arkansas. Wimberly is a strong prospect who plays baseball and competes in track and field. He ran an 11.45 100 and a 23.61 200 as a sophomore in the spring of 2023.

Wimberly visited Oklahoma for their junior day earlier this year. He likes the on and off-the-field culture fit for Oklahoma, so it should be no surprise that Oklahoma has a significant footing in his recruitment. An Arkansas crystal ball was logged previously, so discounting the in-state school would be unwise. Two Michigan insiders have also logged crystal balls in favor of Oklahoma landing Wimberly, so it’s safe to say that the Sooners are the trending favorite.

Marcus Wimberly’s Recruiting Profile

Projections

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SMU’s journey from the bottom of ACC recruiting to a bright future

Under the visionary leadership of Rhett Lashlee, SMU embarks on its ACC journey, poised to transform its underdog status into a saga of triumph.

SMU’s 2024 recruiting class, ranking last in the ACC with just 10 commitments, might appear dismal on paper.

The conference, known for its competitive edge and streamlining players to the NFL welcomed the Mustangs alongside Stanford and Cal in a significant expansion move. While Stanford managed to sign the No. 6 class in the ACC, and Cal found itself in the middle of the pack, SMU’s entry could be likened to entering a gunfight armed with a slingshot. However, it’s essential to remember that battles are not won on Signing Day, but on the gridiron, where determination, development, and strategy play out in real-time.

SMU’s $100 million facility overhaul and impending ACC debut have ignited unparalleled enthusiasm among blue-chip recruits. Additionally, the Mustangs enjoy substantial financial backing and access to Texas’s prolific recruiting territory, providing an ideal environment for attracting top-tier talent.

At the heart of SMU’s class is Ka’Davion Dotson, a three-star safety from Texas, who, despite the modest star rating, has been pegged as the most “college-ready” player in the Mustangs’ haul. While depth at the safety position might initially limit his on-field contributions, Dotson’s track background and undeniable athleticism hint at a potential for significant impact down the line. It’s a reminder that stars do not always predict success, and in players like Dotson, SMU might have unearthed gems ready to be polished. Look for Scott Symons to get Dotson on the field early.

The transition to the ACC was never going to be seamless for SMU. The Mustangs, under the guidance of head coach Rhett Lashlee, are stepping into a league where the competition level takes a discernible leap. Lashlee, however, is no stranger to overcoming odds. Since taking over the reins, he’s led SMU to its best season since the early ’80s, culminating in an AAC Championship in 2023. The move to the ACC is another chapter in Lashlee’s journey of building a program that can not only compete but thrive among the elite. With a focus on developing talent and a coaching staff adept at maximizing player potential, SMU’s current recruiting class ranking is but a starting point, not a determinant of future success.

Lashlee, bringing his dynamic offense back to the ACC after a stint as the offensive coordinator under Manny Diaz at Miami, is poised to make waves, proving that the Mustangs’ ascendance is no fluke.

The Mustangs have already begun to lay the groundwork for improvement. The commitment from portal players like Jahfari Harvey and Brashard Smith, both transfers from Miami, signals an intent to strengthen the squad with experienced talent. Smith can be a national name under Rhett Lashlee, whom he committed to while at Miami.

The portrayal surrounding SMU’s 2024 recruiting class is not one of doom and gloom but rather a prologue to what could be a compelling underdog story. In sports, as in life, the path to success is often nonlinear. For SMU, the current state of affairs is a challenge to be met with the same grit and determination that has characterized their rise thus far. The ACC might not know it yet, but in dismissing the Mustangs based on their recruiting class alone, they might just be underestimating the heart of a team ready to prove its mettle against the odds.

Sooners pick up Rivals futurecast for 2026 quarterback Dereon Coleman

The Oklahoma Sooners received a Rivals Futurecast for 2026 QB Dereon Coleman.

When Jeff Lebby took over the offense for the Oklahoma Sooners, Brent Venables made it abundantly clear Lincoln Riley’s previous strategy of taking a quarterback every other year would no longer fly. Since then, the Sooners have replenished the quarterback cupboard with talent every year. At least two new quarterbacks joined the program via the high school ranks or transfer portal each year.

As Oklahoma heads into the 2024 season, it legitimately has three scholarship quarterbacks. Jackson Arnold leads the way for 2023, but the Sooners welcome two quarterbacks from the 2024 recruiting class: four-star [autotag]Michael Hawkins[/autotag] and three-star [autotag]Brendan Zurbrugg[/autotag]. [autotag]Kevin Sperry[/autotag] is already committed to 2025, and the Sooners are pivoting to 2026.

This winter, they’ve offered a couple of the top quarterbacks in the cycle: Jared Curtis and Faizon Brandon. Joining the list of signal callers the Sooners have offered in 2026 is Dereon Coleman out of Orlando, Florida. That Oklahoma offer has seemingly moved the needle for Coleman so much that OUInsider’s and Rivals recruiting analyst Parker Thune issued a futurecast favoring the Sooners Thursday evening.

Coleman is a smaller quarterback prospect, standing at six feet. He throws a nice tight spiral and showcases some arm strength, ripping passes over the middle of the field. He also showed the ability to buy time with his athleticism while simultaneously looking down the field to make plays with his arm.

Coleman is a solid prospect, and it will behoove many not to sleep on him as he continues to grow and improve. He isn’t rated for the 2026 cycle, but with Oklahoma, Arkansas, SMU, Ole Miss and Nebraska in pursuit, it’s only a matter of time until he receives an evaluation from the recruiting services.

Dereon Coleman’s Recruiting Profile

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Oklahoma Sooners earn crystal ball prediction for 2025 4-Star cornerback

The Oklahoma Sooners got another prediction for a talented 2025 prospect. This time for a 4-Star cornerback.

The Oklahoma Sooners are hoping to build upon strong early momentum for their [autotag]2025 recruiting class[/autotag]. They currently have nine commitments which has been rare this early in the Brent Venables’ era.

The Sooners currently have three defensive players committed but none of those are in the secondary. Could they potentially get their first one? Well, 247Sports Oklahoma Insider Collin Kennedy has put in a prediction favoring the Sooners to land 4-Star cornerback Cobey Sellers.

Kennedy joins Parker Thune and Brandon Drumm of OUInsider, who issued picks for the Sooners last week.

Sellers is currently a top 150 player and top 20 player at his position in the country. The Sooners hosted Sellers at their most recent Junior Day event which saw some of the most talented players in the 2025 class come to Norman.

The Sooners are the heavy favorites according to On3, with the Texas Longhorns, [autotag]Baylor Bears[/autotag] and [autotag]SMU Mustangs[/autotag] being the other three to receive any percentage. So for now it looks like Oklahoma’s race to lose.

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SMU didn’t get the welcoming to the ACC they expected

The future members of the ACC received a rude welcoming on Thursday.

The 2023 college football season was the last for the SMU Mustangs as Group of Five members. Starting next season they will be playing in the ACC, much to the chagrin of the Florida State Seminoles.

One of those teams they would play against are the Boston College Eagles. As a matter of fact, the Ponies are set to host Boston College at Gerald J. Ford Stadium next season, the date is yet to be determined.

As far as this season, the Mustangs had an opportunity to prove their worth and earn the No. 12 win on the season. It looked good early on before it fell apart in the second half. Boston College ended up winning this future ACC battle, 23-14.

The big star of the day was Thomas Castellanos with his two touchdowns. Both of which came on the ground and in the fourth quarter. Overall, the dual-threat rushed for a game-high 156 yards and those two scoring runs of 14+ yards.

The SMU offense had no answer for Castellanos as they finished two drives with a punt, two drives ended via turnover on downs, and one missed field goal. Late in the game it was the Eagles offense that was able to put together consistent drives to put the game away.

Next time these two teams meet, perhaps it will go differently with Preston Stone under center. He missed the game after breaking his leg against Navy on Nov. 25 in the 59-14 win over the Midshipmen.