SMU defensive lineman Elijah Roberts and running back Brashard Smith were drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, with five additional Mustangs being signed as undrafted free agents.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Roberts in the fifth round with the 157th overall pick, making him the first Mustang to be picked up in the draft. A team captain in 2024, Roberts totaled 35 tackles and 7.5 sacks in his final season with SMU. In a Buccaneers press conference, Roberts expressed his excitement about returning to his home state to play.
“It’s good to know that I have a veteran like [Lavontae David] behind me,” Roberts stated. “He really knows how to orchestrate the defense… As a Miami guy, I have a quick drive up to Tampa and I’ll be home, so I’ll be good. I can’t wait.”
The Kansas City Chiefs scooped up Smith in the final round of the draft at pick 228. Smith joins the reigning AFC Championship team as well as SMU football alumnus, Rashee Rice. In 2024, Smith set the SMU single-season all-purpose yards record at 1,977 and scored 18 touchdowns, the second-most in the ACC. In his first press conference, he said his style of play would fit in nicely with the high-powered Chiefs offense.
“I feel like my skill set fits perfectly with the offense.They’re already dynamic,” Smith said. “I’m a dynamic player also, so I feel like I’m going to bring a lot of juice to the offense and special teams.”
Two offensive and three defensive players for the Mustangs signed as undrafted free agents. Brandon Crossley, a defensive back with 42 tackles and one interception in 2024, signed with the New England Patriots. The Las Vegas Raiders picked up defensive lineman Anthony Booker Jr, the only Mustang besides Roberts and Smith invited to the NFL Combine. Defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte signed with the Carolina Panthers.
On offense, the New Orleans Saints picked up wide receiver Moochie Dixon, a top target for Kevin Jennings. He had 386 receiving yards on 21 receptions, and will be a useful addition to Saints wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Justin Osborne, an Auburn transfer, started in all 14 games for the Mustangs in 2024 and will now play for the Cleveland Browns.
Though not officially signed, five Mustangs got the call to join NFL teams in rookie mini-camps; defensive lineman Jahfari Harvey for the Raiders, wide receiver Key’shawn Smith and linebacker Ahmad Walker for the Chiefs, defensive back Jonathan McGill for the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Roderick Daniels Jr. for the Saints.
With six new signees, SMU now has 21 active players in the NFL, the most notable being Courtland Sutton, the Denver Broncos’ Pro Bowl receiver. The 2025 Draft was the first since 2023 to have more than one Mustang be selected.
With five top contributors being drafted, and even more graduating in May, SMU will have some considerable holes to fill before their sophomore season in the ACC. SMU achieved an 8-0 conference record last season, but will have to face tougher conference opponents in 2025, including Clemson, Miami and Syracuse.
The 2025 SMU football season begins on Aug. 30 with a home game against East Texas A&M. The NFL season begins a week later, with the 2025 Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, hosting the season opener on Sept. 4.
