February is one of the slowest times of the college football calendar. Sure there are schedule releases, but it’s the month devoid of games, spring football, fall camp, NFL Combine or Draft activities, and it’s roughly six to seven months from the next kickoff.
But February 2026 has been quite an eventful time to be an SMU Mustang. It’s been a month full of future scheduling news, surprise coaching changes, and a slew of NFL Combine invites. Here’s a rundown of what’s happened this month on The Hilltop:
SMU moves future games to Jerryworld
The Iron Skillet is no more. SMU lost its annual crosstown rivalry game with TCU after the September 2025 meeting, but the Mustangs are still providing reasons for fans to get amped up about non-conference play. In 2027, SMU will host Oklahoma as part of a home-and-home, where the first leg was played in Norman in 2023. Then in 2029, SMU will host LSU for the second leg of a home-and-home which starts in Baton Rouge in 2028.
However, the Mustangs will not take the field in Gerald J. Ford Stadium for either of these high-profile SEC matchups. SMU moved both of these contests to AT&T Stadium in Arlington which has considerable attendance advantages over its campus stadium (33,200 capacity at Ford Stadium vs. 80,000 at AT&T Stadium). The Mustangs have never played at AT&T Stadium since the venue opened in 2009; however, Oklahoma has suited up eight times, while LSU has played four games in the iconic venue. SMU regularly used the Dallas Cowboys’ old stadium — Texas Stadium — as its home venue from 1979-86.
Symons to Cowboys; co-DCs named
Speaking of SMU to Dallas Cowboys connections, another one was made this month at the defensive coordinator position. SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons accepted a position down the road to become the Cowboys’ next DC after four years leading the Mustangs. Prior to Symons’ arrival in Dallas, SMU was renowned for struggling defenses, finishing 75th or worse in scoring defense each season from 2013-21, ranking 110th or below six times in that 9-year span.
Symons rewrote the script. In year two at the helm, the defensive coordinator who arrived from Liberty, guided the Mustangs to the 11th-best scoring defense in the country — the necessary improvement SMU needed to claim its first conference championship since 1984. Even amidst the American Conference to ACC transition the following year, the Mustangs retained their stout defense, ranking top seven in the country in sacks and run defense, all while qualifying for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
Rather than name a single replacement to Symons, SMU targeted a committee approach. Head coach Rhett Lashlee appointed Maurice Crum Jr. and Rickey Hunley Jr. as co-defensive coordinators for 2026. Crum has served as the Mustangs’ linebackers coach since 2023 and even held a co-defensive coordinator role during the 2024 CFP run. Hunley has been on staff since Lashlee arrived for the 2022 season, operating as a cornerbacks coach and passing game coordinator. In 2026, the pairing aims to lead SMU to its fourth-straight season finishing top 35 in scoring defense.
Four Mustangs invited to NFL Combine
SMU continues to increase its presence at the NFL Draft. The Mustangs already have eight draft selections in the 2020s decade, and another batch may be on the way. SMU is tied for 27th among all FBS programs and tied for third in the ACC with four invites to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The Mustangs’ Combine invites include wide receiver Jordan Hudson, tight ends RJ Maryland and Matthew Hibner, and free safety Ahmaad Moses.
Jordan Hudson: Hudson transferred from TCU to the other side of the Iron Skillet and became an instant playmaker. He led, or tied for the lead, in receiving touchdowns in all three years at SMU, logging 130 receptions, 1,787 receiving yards, and 18 scores as a Mustang. Hudson took on an increased role in 2025 as the team’s clear WR1, returning from an early-season injury to manufacture 766 yards — the leading receiver of the nation’s 13th-ranked passing offense.
RJ Maryland: Maryland’s time at SMU spans Rhett Lashlee’s entire head coaching tenure. He drew significant attention during the Mustangs’ 2023 American Conference championship season with 518 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, thriving as a deep threat tight end. The 6’4”, 240 pound Maryland was limited by injuries during SMU’s CFP year but returned this past season as a potent receiving threat in a loaded offense.
Matthew Hibner: Hibner was a member of Michigan’s 2023 National Championship-winning team but transferred to SMU and instantly rose from a seldom-used player to a focal point of the offense. Hibner was essential when Maryland tore his ACL in October 2024, providing the Mustangs’ a capable tight end to lead their run to the CFP. He registered 368 yards and four touchdowns in 2024 and followed those stats up with 436 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, all while averaging 14.4 yards per catch.
Ahmaad Moses: Moses landed as a First Team All-ACC selection after a standout year featuring 104 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. The four-year Mustang improved each year in Dallas, and the peak of his powers were demonstrated in SMU’s November 2025 win over eventual national runner-up Miami (FL). In that contest, Moses totaled 15 tackles and a pair of interceptions, including the game-sealer in overtime.
The 2026 NFL Combine runs from Feb. 23 to Mar. 2 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
