The Reclamation Initiative | The Coaching Career of Nico Augustine

Post by **djp73** » 07 Nov 2025, 06:41

Captain Canada wrote: ↑
05 Nov 2025, 18:55
ACC continues year-to-year reshuffle, California and Stanford opt for "growing" PAC-12 conference

I like this

Zo about to have 'em in cheese heads in Dallas?

Post by **Captain Canada** » 07 Nov 2025, 08:55

six7 wrote: ↑
06 Nov 2025, 14:58
CHEESE! bring on el queso

redsox907 wrote: ↑
06 Nov 2025, 16:46

bring on da cheese

djp73 wrote: ↑
07 Nov 2025, 06:41

Captain Canada wrote: ↑
05 Nov 2025, 18:55
ACC continues year-to-year reshuffle, California and Stanford opt for "growing" PAC-12 conference
I like this

Zo about to have 'em in cheese heads in Dallas?

Zo getting himself a nice little following around here. Really helps deafen out the Skylar purists

Post by **Agent** » 07 Nov 2025, 16:53

Cheesemen

Post by **Captain Canada** » 07 Nov 2025, 19:57

2028 Season Preview - SMU Football

Head coach: Nico Augustine (2nd year)
Offensive Coordinator: Tony Sanchez (2nd year)
Defensive Coordinator: Kerry Abraham (2nd year)
2026 record: 10-3, 7-1 (3rd in ACC)
Preseason Ranking: #16
Preseason All-Americans: None
Preseason All-ACC: C Leati Higgins (2nd Team)

Can the necessary pieces take that next step up?
Last year, the consensus was that the departure of former SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings could be managed because the Mustangs returned his top three weapons on offense (wide receivers Yamir Knight, Jalen Cooper, and Daylon Singleton) while adding former TCU running back Jeremy Payne. And that was largely correct, especially with Cooper coming on late as a huge home-run threat for their offense. Payne's Heisman Trophy campaign was only derailed late due to injuries.

Yeah, all those guys are gone now. The quarterback that benefitted from such a fortunate situation, Ryder Burton? Yeah, he's graduated, fighting for a roster spot in the NFL now as well.

The team largely struck out when it came to filling the holes left behind in the transfer portal, adding only some key names that can prove to be reinforcements to the guys looking to fill the spots in-house. Top wide receiver J.J. Harrell will look to add his third consecutive 1,000-yard season after leading the team with 1,294 yards last season with 12 touchdowns. The question begging to be answers is that will he be able to do so now that he'll undoubtedly be shadowed by the opposing team's number one corner on the outside for the majority of his reps. He benefitted from being flanked by Cooper and Knight, operating out of the slot most of the time that will now be operated by fellow returnee Jeremiah McClellan.

McClellan, originally a prospect envisioned to become a Day one NFL draft pick, has seen his stock fall off since his days with Oregon. He is hoping a major jump from his 473 receiving yards and seven touchdowns will reignite attention. Now getting full-time first-team reps rather than being a rotational piece will certainly help. Redshirt sophomore Marquis Avant, a speedster that will mostly come in in lieu of McClellan, brings speed and excellent agility with his 5-foot-8 frame. True freshman Eric DeLuca is not expected to don the redshirt due to his outstanding training camp.

At running back, it seems as though the Mustangs will go with a running back-by-committee type of approach rather than a bell cow situation. Payne wore down from all of his touches, and to tell the truth, the Mustangs just don't have that type of player after striking out on Oklahoma's Rodney Fields Jr. during the transfer process. Returning redshirt senior Kyan Berry-Johnson is expected to get the lion's share of carries while true freshman Justice Spielman is expected to get "a lot of looks" in every down plays. Titus Hayes is expected to be the team's power-back on short yardage once again.

The tight end room gets a massive shape up now that both Adam Moore and Tripp Riordan are both graduated. Transfer Dwayne Kasay is expected to get most of the looks. He brings good size at 6-foot-5, but its his impressive route-running and athleticism that gives him the edge of incumbent Miles Uter, a player that came in handy on key plays all season last year.

The offensive line looks to take another step forward, returning most of their starters. Dramodd Odoms returns at left tackle, and is pacing to be one of the top tackles in the upcoming NFL draft next year. Pundits were surprised he didn't get an All-ACC nod. Sophomore Austin Jasmine continues to man the post at left guard, hoping to take that next step forward now that he has a full season of college football under his belt. Joshua Bates and Leati Higgins continue to battle for the center position, but it is extremely likely the loser will get their time swapped to right guard, taking over from Mitch Slater. King Large takes over at the right tackle spot after seeing a ton of time as a reserve last season.

The most intriguing battle continues to be at quarterback between Skylar Williams and Alonzo Cheeseman. The team remains quiet on who will be the starter Week 1. Williams feels like the strong option due to his resume and experience coming in for Burton during his struggles last season, but it feels as though Cheeseman may be the more talented thrower of the football. Only time will tell who will get the nod at quarterback.

Did SMU do enough to shore up the secondary?
All throughout last season, it seemed as SMU's defense was a mixed bag. Yes, they were statistically one of the worst defenses in the country, allowing the most yardage to opponents. They also created the most havoc in backfields, and allowed the least rushing yards in the ACC. It felt as though it was their secondary that was the biggest issue.

Now, their front seven has taken the largest hit while their secondary remains largely intact. How does that make sense? Let's try and make it make sense.

The team hopes that players thrust into new roles are able to take shape for defensive coordinator Kerry Abraham, who enters this season knowing he's operating on an extremely small leash. "I deserve it," he said. "My game-planning didn't execute the way it needed to last season, and that's on me far more than it is on the guys on the back end. I hung them out to dry far too often."

Star cornerback Marcellus Barnes Jr. takes the challenge head-on. "We know the numbers more than anyone else. We know the guys that walked across that stage last year and left the team. We know the pressure and the heat has never been on more. We need to come correct."

Ramon Arrollo and Josh Mingo take over at the edge spots, trying to replace the likes of D.J. Warner and Trey Wilson, who dominated when they needed to. Arrollo was featured in the rotation more significantly than Mingo was, and hopes that the experience will allow him to shoot up and dominate the way those before him did. On the interior, four-star recruit Trent Landry hopes to fill the massive hole left behind by Vincent Carroll-Jackson. He is easily the most equipped to take that leap and is going to be tested early and often.

Former recruit Ben Stutz continues to grow into his roll, rotating on the first-team with senior Cam Roberson. Both are expected to see a ton of snaps, as they did in relief often last year. The struggle will be felt, as replacing former star Zakye Barker will be no easy task. However, playing next to burgeoning star, MIKE linebacker Kevin Lockridge may ease that transition.

"He's the heart and soul of this defense. He loves to be engaged and I'm hopeful that he takes that next step," commented Abraham. "He's easily a 100-tackle kind of guy. There's nothing that is out of reach for someone like him. Lockridge credits working on his lateral speed and getting more familiar in the film room to give him an even quicker first step to make chaos in the backfield.

"I want to become a problem for offenses, it's that simple" said Lockridge, who's teammates have began calling him the Hulkbuster, a nod to the Ironman suit that features in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

The secondary will go as far as Barnes Jr. and William Nettles takes it. Nettles famously got benched for Grant Griffin last season, and took it personally. He returns as one of the fastest players on the team. "I don't ever want that feeling again. Not being able to compete with my brothers because I was letting them down took its toll on me. I want to make an impact."

2028 TEAM SCHEDULE

Week	Opponent	Result	Record
0	OFF	--	--
1	vs South Carolina	--	3-9 (2-6)
2	at Vanderbilt	--	2-10 (0-8)
3	vs Arkansas State	--	9-4 (6-2)
4	vs NC State	--	5-7 (2-6)
5	at #3 Pittsburgh	--	13-2 (8-0)
6	OFF	--	--
7	at Virginia	--	4-8 (2-6)
8	vs Florida State	--	8-5 (5-3)
9	at Wake Forest	--	4-8 (3-5)
10	at Boston College	--	4-8 (2-6)
11	vs #15 Louisville	--	10-3 (6-2)
12	at #24 Tulane	--	8-5 (5-3)
13	vs #23 TCU	--	10-4 (6-2)
14	OFF	--	--

Post by **Captain Canada** » 07 Nov 2025, 20:16

SMU Opening Day 2-Deep Depth Chart

Offense

Quarterback
#7 Skyler Williams, Rs Junior • 76 overall OR #10 Alonzo Cheeseman, Rs Freshman • 78 overall

Running back
#22 Kyan Berry-Johnson, Rs Junior • 85 overall
#34 Justice Spielman, Freshman • 78 overall

X-Receiver
#4 J.J. Harrell, Rs Senior • 89 overall
#82 Tomas Smoker, Rs Sophomore • 76 overall

Z-Receiver
#87 Jeremiah McClellan, Rs Senior • 88 overall
#9 Eric DeLuca, Freshman • 76 overall

Y-Receiver
#86 Marquis Avant, Rs Sophomore • 83 overall
#16 D.J. Tobias, Rs Freshman • 66 overall

Tight End
#18 Dwayne Kasay, Rs Sophomore • 81 overall
#89 Miles Uter, Rs Junior • 75 overall

Offensive Line
LT
#75 Dramodd Odoms, Senior • 90 overall
#66 Walter Loudermilk, Rs Freshman • 74 overall

LG
#53 Austin Jasmine, Sophomore • 80 overall
#76 Drew Hill, Rs Junior • 75 overall

C
#64 Joshua Bates, Rs Senior • 84 overall
#51 Leati Higgins, Rs Sophomore • 84 overall

RG
#56 Mitch Slater, Rs Sophomore • 76 overall
#58 Jalen Dodge, Rs Freshman • 73 overall

RT
#68 King Large, Rs Senior • 77 overall
#70 Mohammed Iwuoma • 73 overall

Defense

Defensive Line
EDGE
#90 Ramon Arrollo, Junior • 78 overall
#92 Junior Rudd, Rs Junior • 73 overall

DE
#93 Josh Mingo, Rs Junior • 74 overall
#94 Adrian Fogg, Freshman • 66 overall

DT
#91 Trent Landry, Freshman • 74 overall
##95 J.J. Kramer, Rs Freshman • 64 overall

Linebackers
SAM
#7 Ben Stutz, Sophomore • 78 overall
#19 Cameron Roberson • 77 overall

MIKE
#57 Kevin Lockridge, Junior • 83 overall
#25 Mike Coker, Freshman • 71 overall

WILL
#52 Thomas McCareins, Junior • 78 overall
#32 Tyree Marks, Rs Sophomore • 74 overall

Defensive Backs
RCB
#8 Marcellus Barnes Jr., Senior • 86 overall
#14 Manu Hook, Rs Junior • 78 overall

LCB
#0 William Nettles, Rs Senior • 79 overall
#1 Alonzo Hix, Rs Sophomore • 76 overall

FS
#20 Armani Medlock, Rs Junior • 82 overall
#9 Esteban Brewer, Rs Sophomore • 78 overall

SS
#18 Larry Tu'ikolovatu, Freshman • 75 overall
#16 Jamerson Pratt, Sophomore • 71 overall

Special Teams
K
#95 Sam Keltner, Rs Senior • 63 overall
#16 Miguel Benitez, Rs Sophomore • 72 overall

P
#13 Dakota Odrick, Rs Sophomore • 65 overall

KR
#87 Jeremiah McClellan, Rs Senior • 94 overall
#0 William Nettles, Rs Senior • 92 overall

PR
#87 Jeremiah McClellan, Rs Senior • 94 overall

redsox907 · Post by **redsox907** » 07 Nov 2025, 20:29

giving into soap about Sky eh?

Nacho will be ready once Sky falters.

Schedule ain't bad until the final three games :fml:

Post by **Captain Canada** » Yesterday, 08:39

QB battle at deadlock, Williams & Cheeseman to split reps Week 1
By Veronica Downs | SMU Daily

The long-awaited question of who between redshirt junior quarterback Skyler Williams and redshirt freshman quarterback Alonzo Cheeseman will be the starting guy for the SMU Mustangs in their first week of play against the South Carolina Gamecocks will have to wait at least one more week.

Head coach Nico Augustine announced that both quarterbacks will get into game action, splitting the game in half between the two. Both quarterbacks have been splitting reps for most of the spring and training camp with the first-team. Though analysts have been theorizing that Augustine has been preparing to give the former five-star recruit the keys, it seems as though Williams has done just enough to continue the war.

"They both deserve the opportunity to finish the fight," said Coach Augustine, who initially released the two-deep depth chart featuring both Williams and Cheeseman as co-starters. "Sometimes, it takes game action to show who's really up to the challenge and who needs more time to prepare."

When asked about whether this system could go further into the season, Augustine was adamant that it won't.

"This is a one-game thing. It's not fair to our offense - and honestly - to either of these gentlemen to not give them a proper decision. It's something I wish I was comfortable enough to decide on right now. It's going to be one game."

The Mustangs take on the Gamecocks on September 2, 2028 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas to open the season.

Post by **Captain Canada** » Yesterday, 09:28

Saturday, September 2, 2028 | Gerald J. Ford Stadium (Dallas, TX)

CB Marcellus Barnes Jr. vs

WR Greg Bolin

Post by **Caesar** » Yesterday, 10:16

That schedule weak af. We're expecting playoffs in this season or Coach Augustine gotta be on the podium all offseason.

Post by **Captain Canada** » Yesterday, 12:10

Caesar wrote: ↑
Yesterday, 10:16
That schedule weak af. We're expecting playoffs in this season or Coach Augustine gotta be on the podium all offseason.

Weak as hell, which fits with where this team may be. We were definitely overzealous last year. I really only see losses to Pitt and maybe one of Louisville or TCU. Playoffs or bust.

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