SMU Pro Day filled with NFL prospects

By Josh Ortega

Most everyone who has ever put on a pair of shoulder pads and a helmet has at one point dreamed of hearing their name called during one of the seven rounds of the NFL Draft.

The process before draft day is a lengthy one for prospects. There are multiple important stops along the way before a prospect can move full steam ahead to a new destination on one of the 32 different teams across the NFL. One of those stops is a Pro Day. The SMU Mustangs hosted scouts from various teams at its 2026 NFL Pro Day this past week. 

Twenty current and former Mustangs participated in different drills during the Pro Day in front of the watchful eyes of scouts. The drills ranged from testing strength, agility and speed to position specific drills. Senior defensive end Isaiah Smith broke down his preparation process for not just the pro day but the rest of the pre-draft process. 

“I was down for about 70 days training in Miami with Pete Babaraino, so that was good work,” Smith said. “It’s been a long process but, you know, I will reap the reward soon. [It’s a] good process, though. It’s fun, and it’s always fun to do it finishing as a Mustang where I started.”

SMU is coming off a 9-4 season and a bowl win in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl over Arizona. The Mustangs’ 2026 prospect class is littered with players who have spent a majority of their collegiate careers in Dallas while making plenty of noise on the field for SMU. 

Senior wide receiver Jordan Hudson is one of the premier players headlining SMU’s 2026 NFL prospects class. Hudson led the Mustangs in receiving yards and receptions last season putting up career highs in both statistics. 

The 6 foot-1 wideout has met with various teams looking to fill a need at wide receiver. Hudson posted an unofficial 4.48 40-yard dash during the Pro Day while putting on display of his athleticism during ball drills. Hudson reflected on his experience and the opportunity at the end of the day. 

“It was great,” said Hudson.” It was a great experience just to come out here and get the reps under my feet and put out all the work I have been putting in.”

Hudson also reflected on what he wanted to display his talents in front of scouts.

“I’m versatile, I can play both inside or outside,” Hudson said. “I’m gonna be the best blocker on your team; I am a humble kid. There are a lot of narratives that I wasn’t as humble as people would have imagined, but as they can see I am very humble and very outspoken.” 

The day also served as a day of reflection for many players of both their time at SMU and in college football. Senior cornerback Deuce Harmon, who was named All-ACC Honorable Mention after wrapping up his second season at SMU after three seasons at Texas A&M, talked about how his time at SMU helped him fall back in love with football. 

“It’s been a journey. I gained a love of football and lifelong relationships with people that I didn’t know before,” he said. 

“It’s just a family forever. They [SMU] got me back into loving the sport. I trusted them with whatever plans they had for me and I got blessed with a great opportunity today to come out and showcase my abilities. I don’t have anything but love for the coaching staff and everyone here.”

SMU’s Pro Day simultaneously acted as a homecoming for many former Mustangs who once called Dallas home at one point throughout their college careers. Defensive back Jahari Rogers, running back Jalayn Knighton and Quarterback Preston Stone all returned to SMU to participate in drills in front of scouts. 

Stone spent much of the day throwing the football during the pass catchers on the field workout. The former Mustangs quarterback participated in Northwestern’s pro day a week prior but talked about what it meant to come back to SMU and sling passes to some of his former receivers. 

“I just had such a great day being able to be around some of my best friends that I made in college,” Stone said. “The coaching staff couldn’t have been more receptive and more welcoming. I’m super thankful to Coach Lashlee for allowing me to come back and throw to those guys and showcase myself a little bit. Overall, I just had a blast.”

Senior tight end RJ Maryland also talked about the opportunity to catch passes once again from his former college quarterback. “It was awesome,” Maryland said. “We caught passes a few days ago just to get it back because I haven’t seen him in over a year and half.” Maryland added, “It was really just good to see him; nothing has changed. It’s just old P-Stone glad to see him.”

Ultimately on a day of drills and reflection SMUs’ Pro Day serves as part of the end for the Mustangs who plan to take the next step on their footballing journey. 

With April in full swing, each will have the 23rd-25th of this month circled on their calendars. Those are one of the days they could hear their own name called during the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.