SMU trending for 4-star EDGE Dakyus Brinkley?

SMU hosted 2024 four-star Katy (Tex.) EDGE Dakyus Brinkley for an official visit this weekend, wrapping up on Sunday. Defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux was a big part of why the Mustangs made a move.

“The SMU visit was great,” Brinkley told On3. “It was different from other visits that I’ve taken, even though this is my second official, it was different. It wowed me. It made me excited about SMU. What I liked about it was my connection with coach Thibs and seeing the dudes he put out. Made me like him even more. It’s a place I could go and get drafted.”

Thibodeaux is high on what the 6-3, 215-pound prospect can bring to the SMU defense.

“He was saying they’re only taking one EDGE guy in my class and he was hoping it’d be me. I was saying it could be me, I just need to come back and see and evaluate it. Mostly, he was saying with my skillset and ability to play the game, he thinks that I can come in and play right away and help the team get to where they need to be. Also, thinks I can be the face of the defense with the talent that I got. Hearing that made me like SMU a lot.”

Defensive coordinator Scott Symons and assistant director of recruiting Tyler Foster also made an impact.

“He (Symons) answered all of my questions. They’re looking at moving divisions so we’ll see what that looks like and go from there,” Brinkley said. “Coach Foster’s been recruiting me since we’ve been at Baylor so we’ve got a good relationship for sure.”

What else stood out? The plan for him after football is over.

“Life After Ball for sure. It wasn’t only football, it was trying to make a player a better man, if you understand what I’m saying.”

In addition to SMU, Brinkley holds offers from the likes of Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M and numerous others. Kansas hosted him for an official visit earlier this month. He doesn’t have a plan for his decision timeline.

“I could see myself at SMU for sure. I would most definitely like to come back to see a game and evaluate it a little bit more. They’re up there for sure. There’s no rush in my recruiting as of right now. Once I make the decision, I’ll be sure to let the coaches know. It won’t be a secret. It’s a couple schools, but it’s not like I have a top. I’m still getting recruited by everyone, there’s not a top team.”

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, he ranks as the No. 218 overall prospect in the country and No. 17 EDGE in the nation.

In 2022, Brinkley notched 47 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown.

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