Yahoo Sports is gearing up to launch its inaugural collegiate fantasy football competition, with league drafts scheduled to open on August 3. The new platform will let fans draft, manage and compete using real‑college players, turning the offseason into a year‑round strategic playground.
SMU’s Unexpected Surge
Southern Methodist University is set to make a splash, boasting nine athletes who have cracked Yahoo’s Top 300 rankings, the most of any program in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Quarterback Kevin Jennings leads the pack, sitting 14th nationally among quarterbacks and second in the ACC, while running back Kendrick Raphael ranks 22nd at his position and 25th overall.
The Mustangs also showcase a deep receiving corps, with four wideouts — Yamir Knight, Yannick Smith, Jalen Hale and Jalen Cooper — all featured in the top 300.
Tight end Randy Pittman Jr. adds another weapon, positioned 12th among fantasy tight ends and second in the conference.
Beyond individual stats, SMU’s offensive unit is slotted 16th overall and second in the ACC, while its defense and special‑teams components rank 14th in the league.
Draft Blueprint for an All‑SMU Squad
Analysts suggest building around Raphael’s upside, pairing him with Knight and Smith as complementary playmakers, and anchoring the lineup with Pittman’s reliable red‑zone presence.
The strategy also calls for stacking SMU’s defense to capitalize on matchup advantages, creating a high‑risk, high‑reward roster that could dominate early weeks.
With drafts opening soon, fantasy owners are already debating which Mustangs to prioritize, making SMU one of the most watched storylines heading into the new season.