SMU 2012 Recruiting

SMU Mustangs 2012 ... Head Coach: June Jones

SMU Mustangs

2011 Record: 8-5

Sep. 3 at Texas A&M L 46-14
Sep. 10 UTEP W 28-17
Sep. 17 Northwestern St W 40-7
Sep. 24 at Memphis W 42-0
Oct. 1 at TCU W 40-33 OT
Oct. 8 OPEN DATE
Oct. 15 UCF W 38-17
Oct. 22 at Southern Miss L 27-3
Oct. 29 at Tulsa L 38-7
Nov. 5 Tulane W 45-24
Nov. 12 Navy L 24-17
Nov. 19 at Houston L 37-7
Nov. 26 Rice W 27-24
BBVA Compass Bowl
Jan. 7 Pitt W 28-6

2010 CFN Prediction: 5-7
2010 Record: 7-7

Sept. 5 at Texas Tech L 35-27
Sept. 11 UAB W 28-7
Sept. 18 Washington St W 35-21
Sept. 24 TCU L 41-24
Oct. 2 at Rice W 42-31
Oct. 9 Tulsa W 21-18
Oct. 16 at Navy  L 28-21
Oct. 23 Houston L 45-20
Oct. 30 Tulane W 31-17
Nov. 6 at UTEP L 28-14
Nov. 13 OPEN DATE
Nov. 20 Marshall W 31-17
Nov. 26 at E Carolina W 45-38 OT
C-USA Championship
Dec. 4 UCF L 17-7
ARMED FORCES BOWL
Dec. 30 Army L 16-14
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The Entire 2012 Recruiting Class  

Top 5 SMU Recruits To Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com

1. LB Damien Neroes
6-2, 230, Scout.com 43rd ranked, three-star middle linebacker.

2. LB Prescott Line
6-1, 220, Scout.com 54th ranked, three-star middle linebacker.

3. S A.J. Justice
6-2, 185, Scout.com 64th ranked, three-star safety.

4. S Shakiel Randolph
6-5, 190, Scout.com 74th ranked, three-star safety.

5. OT Seaver Myers
6-6, 280, Scout.com 76th ranked, three star offensive tackle.

The 2012 Class Was Heavy On... The defensive line. June Jones went hard after the offense the last few years to get the players he needs to run his attack, and now it’s time to fortify the front wall that’s going to need prospects to develop for 2014. The offense won’t be ignored, but the key players are going to be for the line instead of among the skill players.

Team Concerns For 2012: Offensive line. Two starting receivers are gone, as is starting quarterback J.J. McDermott, but there are players in place to be just fine. The offensive line, though, is a huge concern with all five starters gone and backup center Blake McJunkin also done. Two starters are gone in the secondary and defensive end is a concern with Taylor Thompson and Szymon Czerniak done on the left side.

Looking Ahead To The 2012 Season: Head coach June Jones is still around instead of Arizona State, and the team that rocked Pitt in the bowl game should be ready to make a major move in the Conference USA race. QB J.J. McDernott is done, but Kyle Padron is a veteran and star running back Zach Line is returning – hopefully – from a toe injury. The problem? The line loses four starters and two of the top receivers Cole Beasley and Terrance Wilkerson. The defense that finished second in the league loses both starting ends and has to upgrade the depth, but the entire linebacking corps returns including Taylor Reed in the middle. Big tackling FS Chris Banjo is gone, but SS Ryan Smith should be one of the team’s statistical stars.

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 51. That Class Was Heavy On ... Outside linebacker. The June Jones offense needs receivers, and after loading up last year, the offense got yet another influx of talent with Arrius Holleman and Ronnell Sims two dangerous targets. The defensive line loaded up with several strong hybrid prospects, while the linebacking corps got several safety-sized, speedy players with Devon Moreland a terrific get and Jonathan Yenga and Cameron Smith two promising recruits.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 73. That Class Was Heavy On ... Receivers. After putting the building blocks in place with a big recruiting class of offensive linemen last year, June Jones is getting the receivers to make his style of offense fly. With Shawnbrey McNeal leaving early for the NFL, there was a hole to fill at running back and freshman Darryl Fields might fill it, but the bulk of the class is at receiver with eight prospects coming in led by Kyle Guinyard, a potential No. 1 target who had offers from several Big 12 schools.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 65. That Class Was Heavy On ... offensive linemen. What good is the run-and-shoot if the quarterback is always running for his life? In fine shape at the skill positions for the next few years, June Jones loaded up on linemen, many of whom will need to spend their first year adding girth and weight. In Ben Hughes and Joey Fontana, the Mustangs signed two of the nation’s top 10 centers, so replacing Mitch Enright in 2010 shouldn’t be a major headache.

BBVA Compass Bowl
SMU 28 … Pitt 6
- CFN Thoughts on the Game

SMU: The Mustangs made seven sacks … J.J. McDermott completed 16-of-25 passes for 239 yards and a score, and he ran for a touchdown. … Jared Williams caught 11 passes for 40 yards. … Darius Johnson caught seven passes for 120 yards and a score. … Matt Stone averaged 45.4 yards per punt putting three of the five inside the 20. … Ja’Gared Davis led the team with nine tackles with a sack and a forced fumble. … Margus Hunt made five tackle and three sacks.

Pitt: The Panthers finished with ten rushing yards … Tino Sunseri completed 19-of-28 passes for 183 yards with a pick. … Isaac Bennett ran ten times for 22 yards. … Ronald Jones caught six passes for 36 yards. … Max Groder made nine tackles with a tackle for loss. … Myles Caragein made six tackles with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.

(AP) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- SMU has not lost this season when it scores first or puts up at least 21 points.

The Mustangs were quick to check off both benchmarks to give coach June Jones his 100th collegiate win.

SMU put up three first-quarter touchdowns, including scoring runs and passes by J.J. McDermott, to beat Pittsburgh 28-6 Saturday in the BBVA Compass Bowl.

"I'm really proud of the defense," Jones said. "Really the defense has been that way all year. They've been the reason we've won eight games. We haven't been as sharp on offense as we've been in years past."

Rishaad Wimbley ran for two scores for SMU (8-5), which tied a school record by playing in its third straight bowl under Jones. Before Jones' arrival in in 2008, SMU had played in the postseason since beating Notre Dame in the 1984 Aloha Bowl.

Jones said he didn't talk to his players about his approaching milestone, but he said his 100th win as a college coach "means a lot to me."

"I'll never forget these guys for that win," he said.

McDermott completed 16 of 26 passes for 239 yards and a touchdown, to Darius Johnson early in the first.

Pittsburgh (6-7) was held without a first down and fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter. Kevin Harper kicked field goals of 32 and 34 yards.

The Panthers were coached by defensive coordinator Keith Patterson, who took over after Todd Graham left to coach at Arizona State. It was Patterson last game before he starts his new job as the defensive coordinator at Arkansas State.

""The one thing I kept challenging everybody on the team to do is to finish," Patterson said, adding there were many distractions for players and coaches.

"But I felt really good about the effort that they gave," he said. "They represented as well as they possibly could."

Pittsburgh's newly hired coach, former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, flew into Birmingham on Saturday and watched the game from the press box level.

Chryst visited with Pitt alumni and fans before the game. He said he wanted to maintain a respectful distance from the team until the game ended, signaling the start of his era.

"This is the culmination of their season," Chryst said. "This wasn't me."

Chryst said he has "a lot of appreciation for how they're finishing things out" after Graham's unexpected exit.

McDermott beat Pitt's blitz when lobbed a 50-yard touchdown pass to Johnson for the Mustangs' first touchdown.

Johnson had seven catches for 120 yards and was named the game's MVP. The 50-yard catch was the longest in the six-year history of the bowl.

"We talked about it on the sideline and we knew it was going to be open, Johnson said. "I just had to make the catch."

After McDermott's 1-yard run capped an eight-play drive to push the lead to 14-0, Ja'Gared Davis hit Pitt quarterback Tino Sunseri, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Taylor Reed at the Panthers' 27.

McDermott's 19-yard pass to Cole Beasley set up Wimbley's 2-yard touchdown run.

Wimbley added a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Pitt was making its second straight appearance in the bowl after beating Kentucky in last year's game.

A series of key plays went against Pitt in the second quarter. Following the field goal, Pitt recovered an onside kick, but the officials said there was an inadvertent whistle before the ball was recovered. Pitt fans booed as the officials said another kickoff was necessary.

"Both officials came over and apologized to me and said they made a bad call," Patterson said. "They were very apologetic. There's nothing you can do about that. But that was a big momentum-changer. It kind of got us into the game a little bit. We were fired up from that point on."

With SMU still leading 21-3 later in the quarter, Pitt drove from its 16 to a first and goal at the Mustangs' 10. On third down from the 5, Sunseri's pass bounced off tailback Isaac Bennett. The deflection was caught by SMU linebacker Stephon Sanders for an interception.

The half ended with Pitt again coming away with no points at the end of a long drive. Harper's 47-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright to end a 14-play drive.

Jones said SMU running back Jared Williams suffered a probable broken left leg in the fourth quarter. Williams' left leg was placed in a brace before he was placed on a stretcher.

"That's probably a better injury to have than tearing up a knee," Jones said.

Williams led the Mustangs with 11 carries for 40 yards before the injury.

Sunseri was 19 of 28 passing for 183 yards with an interception.

Attendance was 29,726.

Nov. 26 at SMU 27 … Rice 24  

Nov. 19 at Houston 37 … SMU 7

Nov. 12 Navy 24 … at SMU 17

Nov. 5 at SMU 45 … Tulane 24

Oct. 29 at Tulsa 38 … SMU 7  

Oct. 22 at Southern Miss 27 ... SMU 3   .

Oct. 15 at SMU 38 … UCF 17
CFN Analysis: Call this the big statement for SMU and its run to a possible Conference USA title. J.J. McDermott stayed hot completing 358 yards and two scores with a pick, and Zach Line ran well with 82 yards and two scores, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, against the terrific UCF defensive front. The key was the play of the offensive line. UCF hasn’t been getting to the quarterback enough, but the SMU front five that’s been mediocre in pass protection didn’t allow a sack or a tackle for loss. Now on a five game winning streak, there’s no letting up with yet another test against Southern Miss on the road before going to Tulsa. The Houston game is well down the road, but if the Mustangs can beat the Golden Eagles next week, all of a sudden, they’ll be more of a national story. 

Oct. 1 SMU 40 … at TCU 33 OT
CFN Analysis: All of a sudden, SMU is 4-1 with an offense that’s put up 40 points or more in three straight games and a run defense that’s stuffing everyone cold. After the opener against Texas A&M, the defensive front is doing a far better job of tackling and a far better job of getting into the backfield, and it showed against TCU allowing just 150 yards on the ground. The turnovers that have been a problem weren’t a big deal with just one pick, but the 11 penalties and the problems in the secondary allowed the Horned Frogs to come back. All that matters is that SMU got the win before diving into the critical Conference USA dates against UCF and Southern Miss. Beating TCU was big, but coming up with wins over the next two weeks would really get the season going.  

Sept. 24 SMU 42 … at Memphis 0
CFN Analysis: The stats look great, but that’s what happens after playing UTEP, Northwestern State, and Memphis in a three week span. Now the Mustangs get to show what they can do with a nasty three game stretch against TCU, UCF, and Southern Miss coming up next, and if J.J. McDermott can stay hot, the Mustangs have a chance. Even with too many turnovers and mistakes, it was still a blowout win with McDermott throwing for 357 yards and three scores, and Zach Line running for 136 yards and three touchdowns to balance things out. 

Sept. 17 at SMU 40 ... Northwestern State 7
CFN Analysis: As much as SMU really is a passing team at heart, Zach Line keeps forcing June Jones to keep things on the ground around the goal line. He only ran for 85 yards and he didn’t tear off many big plays, but he scored five touchdowns to complement the strong day from the passing attack. J.J. McDermott and Kyle Padron combined for 416 yards, with Cole Beasley making 11 grabs for 171 yards, and Darius Johnson coming up with eight catches for 127 yards in the easy win. With Memphis up next as a tune-up, and an almost certain 2-0 Conference USA record, the TCU game should be fun before the conference season really kicks in with UCF coming to Dallas. The pass protection has to be better to beat the better teams, and it has to start against the Tigers next week. 

Sept. 10 at SMU 28 ... UTEP 17
CFN Analysis: The Mustangs have to make up their minds on the quarterback situation and stick with it going forward. June Jones isn’t known for rotating his quarterbacks, but he let Kyle Padron come in for a few plays and got a short rushing touchdown out of him. J.J. McDermott started the game and finished with 244 yards and a pick, but he didn’t throw any touchdown passes, while for the second straight week it was Zach Line who carried the offense tearing of 114 yards and two scores. UTEP didn’t go anywhere on the ground and never found any room to breathe, but it got the passing game going a bit and forced the Mustangs to keep pushing. Three turnovers kept the Miners in the game, and after two weeks of struggling with the turnover margin, there are two layups against Northwestern State and Memphis to tighten up before facing TCU.  

Sept. 4 at Texas A&M 46 … SMU 14
CFN Analysis: 21-of-26 passing for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Tannehill was nearly perfect against the SMU secondary, and the running game was just as effective with the 1-2 punch of Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael rolling for over six yards per carry. The defense struggled to stop the SMU ground game and didn’t hit well enough, and the secondary had a few holes in the first half, but everything clamped down in the second half and the Aggies played like they’re supposed to. SMU is a good team and A&M had no problems putting it away. Now comes the layup against Idaho before the showdowns against Oklahoma State and Arkansas, but the offense already looks ready to roll.

SMU has a quarterback issue. Kyle Padron threw two picks, J.J. McDermott stepped in and threw for 254 yards and a touchdown, and while he didn’t put any points on the board in the second half, he showed decent poise and held up well under the pressure. Zach Line ran for 128 yards and rumbled through the A&M defense in the first half, but the game got out of reach and he didn’t get a chance to control the game in the second half. With UTEP, Northwestern State, and Memphis up next, the Mustangs have time to get the quarterback situation figured out and should be 3-1 before going to TCU and playing a huge conference game against UCF.

The 2011 Recruiting Class Is Heavy On … Outside linebacker. The June Jones offense needs receivers, and after loading up last year, the offense got yet another influx of talent with Arrius Holleman and Ronnell Sims two dangerous targets. The defensive line loaded up with several strong hybrid prospects, while the linebacking corps got several safety-sized, speedy players with Devon Moreland a terrific get and Jonathan Yenga and Cameron Smith two promising recruits.

2011 Entire Recruiting Class

Five SMU Recruits You Should Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com

1. LB Devon Marshall
More of a pass-rusher than a pass-cover guy. Good quickness off the ball, an aggressive player with good agility and lateral movement. Needs to refine his pass coverage skills.

2. LB Jonathan Yenga
Good build for a linebacker, he plays very aggressive football and likes to attack the plays. He will make plays behind the line of scrimmage but it is more guessing than instinctual, his great athleticism allows him to make adjustments while attacking the play. Good in coverage, he can drop back and make some plays.

3. RB K.C. Nlemchi
6-1, 195, Scout.com’s 64th ranked running back

4. OG Dontae Levingston
Started for two years at Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne at left tackle, helping them to the City Section title game in 2009 and a co-championship in 2008.

5. WR Arrius Holleman
6-3, 170, Scout.com’s 111th ranked receiver

2011 Recruiting Class

Caldwell Flores WR 6-1 175 Fr. Houston, Texas/St. John’s
Arrius Holleman WR 6-3 170 Fr. Lubbock, Texas/Monterey
Christian Holloway DE 6-5 240 Fr. Torrance, Calif./Bishop Montgomery
Maurice Hood DB 6-0 190 Jr. Tyler, Texas/Tyler J.C./Lee
Rodney Hubert DB 5-11 165 Fr. Brenham, Texas/Brenham
Nyle Johnson WR 6-0 185 Fr. Baton Rouge, La./Dunham School
Darius Joseph WR 6-1 190 Fr. Abilene, Texas/Abilene
Daren Kitchen DB 6-1 172 Fr. Houma, La./Vandebilt Catholic
Taylor Lasecki C 6-3 260 Fr. Frisco, Texas/Frisco
Dontae Levingston OL 6-4 285 Fr. Harbor City, Calif./Narbonne
Derek Longoria LB 6-3 205 Fr. Brownwood, Texas/Brownwood
Davon Moreland LB 6-3 230 Fr. Los Angeles, Calif./Salesian
K.C. Nlemchi RB 6-1 195 Fr. Katy, Texas/Cinco Ranch
Conner Preston* QB 6-0 200 Jr. Gardena, Calif./Junipero Serra
Taylor Reich OL 6-7 295 Fr. San Diego, Calif./Westview
James Richardson DB 5-9 175 Fr. Baton Rouge, La./Central
Jermaine Sams WR 5-11 177 Fr. Covington, La./St. Paul’s
Stephon Sanders DL 6-3 230 Fr. Mesquite, Texas/Horn
Robert Seals DL 6-2 220 Fr. Pearland, Texas/Dawson
Ronnell Sims WR 5-8 170 Fr. Abilene, Texas/Abilene
Cameron Smith LB 6-2 240 Fr. Austin, Texas/McNeil
Mike Sparling DB 6-2 175 Fr. La Habra, Calif./La Habra
Jarrett Spencer DE 6-3 240 Fr. Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall
Kris Weeks OL 6-5 300 Fr. Sachse, Texas/Sachse
Rishaad Wimbley DT 6-0 295 Fr. Forney, Texas/Forney
Zachary Wood DE 6-3 260 Fr. Rowlett, Texas/Rowlett
Darrian Wright DT 6-2 280 Fr. Dayton, Texas/Dayton
Jonathan Yenga LB 6-2 200 Fr. Euless, Texas/Trinity