Trend Meter: SMU makes move with several official visitors
SMU Football hosted a strong crew of official visitors this weekend, ending with a Mother’s Day sendoff. Here’s the rundown of how the weekend went from what we’re gathering via prospects and sources.
Red Oak (Tex.) WR Taz Williams: A longtime target that SMU has gotten back into a solid position with is Williams. Williams also has official visits to USC (May 17), Texas A&M (June 6), Penn State (June 14) and Michigan (June 21) scheduled. He is looking to make a decision later this summer and has also visited Texas this spring. Michigan and Ohio State are also involved here. His father and Taz, Jr. recapped the visit with On3’s Steve Wiltfong, eyeing the opportunity he has at SMU. Taz, Sr. reiterated that to On The Pony Express. He added that the plan the staff has for him and the family atmosphere stuck out in a big way to him. How Rob Likens plays to develop and use him in his wide receiver room was eye-catching as well. We’re feeling optimistic about this one, but there are more visits to go. SMU helped itself this weekend, no question though. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Williams is the No. 307 overall prospect and 43rd wideout in America.
Trending: Up
Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy WR Daylan McCutcheon: McCutcheon came in for an official visit to SMU this weekend, but there are some high-profile programs after him hard. Florida State, Ohio State and USC are heavily involved here for the four-star prospect. McCutcheon has family in Florida, Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline is pressing and USC recruiter Dennis Simmonds has built some good bonds as well. On3 is high on McCutcheon, ranking him as the No. 99 recruit overall and 14th-ranked wideout in the 2025 On300. SMU’s been continuing to keep up its recruitment of the talented Lovejoy standout, but we get the sense that at least as of now, McCutcheon is expected to leave the state. He’s one you circle long-term as a player you’re glad you recruited hard, in case he one day hits the portal. That’s not to rule SMU out entirely, but that’s just the early feeling here. Current SMU wide receiver Jaxson Lavender hosted him so you can bet the press was on for his close friend to stay home.
Trending: Neutral
Conroe (Tex.) RB Dramekco Green: SMU offered Green in April and the heat has been turned up here on one of the state’s top running backs. Houston, SMU, TCU and others have offered and hosted him for visits before. It’s not a secret the staff would like two running backs and they hoped the visit put them in prime position to land him. That’s the feeling we got from sources and Green told On3 that he really enjoyed his time on the Hilltop. He said building a relationship outside of football was paramount and something the staff did well on the visit. We’re watching this one closely as SMU impressed him, it appears.
Trending: Up
Rancho Santa Margarita Catholic (Calif.) OL Jacob Maiava: A transfer before his junior season to California has information around his recruitment tough to find at first glance. UNLV and NC State offered to kick off his year while Portland State just jumped into the mix. SMU’s been mining California a bit and Maiava is the latest Southern California prospect to come in for a visit. Maiava is someone the Mustangs are pressing for in a big way and sources feel like they’ve made a move in this recruitment.
Trending: Up
Temecula (Calif.) Murrieta Valley OL Drew Nichols: SMU got the first official visit crack at Nichols, a 6-4, 280-pounder with offers from coast to coast. Miami was first to offer and his recruitment has picked up as an official visit to Michigan State also looms. On3 ranks him as the No. 46 overall interior lineman in the country and 65th-ranked prospect in California. UCLA has hosted him this spring as well and the Bruins have caught his eye. This one will be a bit more of a long play to land him. Garin Justice is someone that impresses most visitors to campus, but Nichols also has some other suitors involved as well that are expecting him to visit.
Trending: Neutral
Kahuku (HI) OL Abel Hoopii: SMU went all the way out to Hawaii to bring in Hoopii, who has Washington State, Nevada, San Jose State and other West Coast offers. From what sources are saying, the Mustangs impressed and came away feeling like they’re in a terrific spot for him. He’s the No. 96 interior offensive lineman, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. Justice and some of Hoopii’s coaches are close, which could be an important tipping point in this recruitment. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Mustangs landed him. The staff is high on the Polynesian prospect.
Trending: Up
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas LB Travares Daniels: Daniels committed to Indiana last month, but SMU is hoping to flip the linebacker target. Daniels originally chose Indiana over USF, SMU, Maryland and Georgia Tech. He’s got an official visit scheduled with the Hoosiers later this summer, but the Mustangs have cemented themselves in this recruitment. We’re keeping a close eye on this one to see if that make him open things up.
Trending: Up
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