National Signing Day is here. Here are the five top recruits expected to sign with SMU.
1. Daniel Gresham- FB, Ft. Worth, All Saints’ Episcopal HS (TX)
The number one fullback in the country has had a wild recruitment process, committing to Texas then Louisville before finally landing at SMU after new Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino pulled his offer.
The 5-11, 230 pound forward back with 4.5 speed will be the big back that June Jones likes in his offense. With Traylon Shead deciding to pursue a career in professional football, Greshman will compete for immediate playing time along with Prescott Line and K.C. Nlemchi.
If Gresham can pick up the blocking scheme, there’s no reason to believe Gresham won’t be the starter to start the year.
2. Inoke Ngalo- ILB, Euless, Trinity HS (TX)
Ngalo was once a Houston commit, but eventually realized that SMU was the better fit for the Euless, Texas, native. At 5-11, 205 pounds, Ngalo passes the eye test and with Randall Joyner graduating, he’ll have an opportunity to compete for immediate playing time.
Ngalo plays downhill and can shoot gaps and stuff ball carriers at the line of scrimmage well.
As he fills out his frame, he’ll look a lot like former SMU linebacker Taylor Reed due to his athleticism.
Ngalo also has great lateral quickness that allows him to fight through blocks and find ball carriers.
Ngalo will have to work on picking up Tom Mason’s defensive scheme, but he is a good player from a great program so he’ll be able to adjust quickly.
3. Kadeem Goulbourne- WR, Cypress Bay HS (Fla.)
With Keenan Holman graduating, SMU is in need of another big-bodied receiver and while Goulbourne did break his foot in October and he is still recovering.
Goulbourne is a big land at a position of need. Goulbourne committed to SMU over offers from schools like Michigan State, Ole Miss and Mizzouri.
Coach Jones’ pass-heavy offense and SMU’s private education made the SMU offer something Goulbourne couldn’t pass up. Goulbourne will have the chance to compete with JaBryce Taylor on the outside once he is fully recovered.
Goulbourne was planning on enrolling in the Spring, but instead decided to continue his recovery process in Florida.
4. J.R. Reed- S, Plano, Prestonwood Christian Academy (TX)
Another local Dallas-area player that Jones and company were able to land was J.R. Reed. Reed tore his ACL in a gruesome way in the playoffs, but he has plenty of talent.
Since Nate Gaines has now decommitted from SMU, Reed is a big commit at another position of need that has been a revolving door due to injuries and
inconsistent play.
While Reed will greyshirt and enroll in Spring 2015, if he can recover from his injury and return to form, he’ll be a solid safety for SMU.
5. Jordan Severt- QB, Austin, Westlake HS (TX)
Austin, Texas, Westlake High School has produced the likes of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles and now Jordan Severt is poised to begin his career at SMU.
Severt is only a two-star by most recruiting services, but his mechanics are excellent, his decision making is good and his footwork is great.
Severt reminds is like a taller, but less highly-touted Aaron Murray, the former Georgia Bulldogs quarterback.
Severt needs to work on his arm strength a little bit since some of his deep balls hang in the air occassionally, but in the short to intermediate passing game, he’s extremely quick to deliver an accurate ball.
Watch for Severt to beat out other SMU quarterback commit Darrell Colbert once the two arrive on campus.
