SMU is making a quarterback change just three games into the season as Kevin Jennings will take over the starting job from incumbent Preston Stone. The Mustangs played both quarterbacks for stretches during their inconsistent 2-1 start and have now decided to shift their plans in favor of Jennings leading the offense.
While Stone was the starting quarterback heading into the season, coach Rhett Lashlee was open that the staff wanted to involve Jennings. The latter started the Mustangs' AAC Championship Game victory against Tulane in 2023 after Stone suffered a season-ending leg injury, leading a 26-14 upset victory. It was the first conference championship for SMU since before the Death Penalty of the 1980s.
Coming into 2024, Lashlee held up Jennings as a leader on the team. Despite serving as a backup, Jennings was named a captain and represented the team at ACC Media Days. Still, benching Stone is a surprising move.
In three seasons for the Mustangs, Jennings has completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,165 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He has also averaged 4.3 yards per carry with two touchdowns. The sophomore is a local legend in Dallas after leading South Oak Cliff High School to a state championship in 2021, which made them the first Dallas ISD school to win a state title since the Dallas Carter squad -- featured in the movie "Friday Night Lights" -- in 1988.
SMU enters its first off week after playing in Week 0. Jennings will make his first start of the season on Sept. 21 against rival TCU in the Battle for the Iron Skillet. The Mustangs follow up the vital rivalry game with Florida State and a road trip to No. 19 Louisville. SMU has not won a game against a power conference opponent since Lashlee arrived in 2022.
Stone's benching comes as surprise
Landing Stone as a recruit was a game-changing moment for SMU. The Dallas product and SMU legacy ranks as the top recruit in program history, ranked No. 148 in the Top247 rankings. In his lone season as a starter, Stone lived up to the hype.
Stone started 12 games for SMU, completing 59.9% of his passes for 3,197 yards and 28 touchdowns during a breakout campaign. While he had to return from a major leg injury, most expected Stone to rank among the top returning passers in the ACC as SMU entered its first season as a league member. Getting to be the face of his family's program during a historic moment was something money couldn't buy.
The SMU offense was inconsistent under Stone in 2024, but it's not all his fault. The SMU staff opted to rotate quarterbacks over the first three games, giving Stone and Jennings each two drives before making a decision. In the opener against Nevada, it was Stone who put together a strong second half and led a game-winning touchdown drive. Against BYU, SMU leaned on Jennings. Stone threw only four pass attempts before getting benched.
What Jennings brings
The SMU staff previously said that it would rotate in Jennings to provide a spark off the bench, but the Mustangs stuck with him after going down in an 18-15 loss to BYU. He completed only 15 of 32 passes but led more consistent drives. None reached the end zone.
While Stone is the focus amid his benching, the move may actually say more about SMU's offensive line woes. Stone was sacked three times early against BYU. For comparison, the Cougars had just two sacks against Southern Illinois. The Mustangs have also been inconsistent in the run game. That's where Jennings adds value.
Jennings provides far more value for SMU with his athleticism and running ability. He was not sacked against BYU despite facing pressure. In his three games, Jennings has rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on 6.4 yards per attempt. Stone averaged just 2.6 yards per carry. Jennings isn't quite the passer of Stone's caliber, but the Mustangs are desperate to get any consistent playmaking on the field as they head into their first season as a power conference team.