SMU wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders catches a thirty-yard pass for a touchdown during a game against Sam Houston State.

The early story this spring is injuries and position changes.

The Mustangs will have five players not participating in spring drills due to injuries. Cory Muse, Caleb Peveto, Sean Lobo, Jordan Johnson and Jessie Henderson will all sit out the spring to recuperate.

The SMU coaching staff has also moved some players to different positions.

Ben Poynter has been moved back to offensive left tackle, and Dominick Prior has been moved from the defensive line to the offensive line to help a weak spot, according to head coach Phil Bennett. The Mustangs have also moved Devon Lowery back to wide receiver from cornerback. The move was made possible by Brandon Jones becoming eligible after not making grades last season.

The final move for the Mustangs was moving David Haynes from cornerback to safety.

“I think we have a chance to have our best secondary ever,” said Bennett who is encouraged by the number of players Mustangs returning.

“We have a lot of retention, which we should. A lot of guys got to play,” Bennett said of both his defense and offense.

In fact, many key players for the Mustangs’ offense are returning after last season – Justin Willis, Columbus Givens, Emmanuel Sanders, James Mapps, Zach Sledge and DeMyron Martin, to name a few.

Last season injury-plagued for Martin, who suffered a sophomore slump after a standout freshman year.

“[Martin’s] better, DeMyron [Martin] will be the first to tell you he didn’t play to his level,” said Bennett. “He’s made a tremendous commitment in the weight room; I know he has worked.”

And there will be another Justin wearing the number 40 on the defensive line. No, Justin Rogers isn’t coming back for a sixth year. It’s Justin Smart, a true freshman who transferred to SMU last semester.

This year’s team will have a lot of youth in the lineup, but it’s experienced youth – and that could be the difference between this season and last.