Young quarterback leaving lasting legacy at SMU

How many active SMU athletes in the university’s history have had an athletic facility named in their honor while they were still in the midst of their collegiate athletic career? 

One. SMU senior quarterback Kevin Jennings became the first and only player on that list this past week. 

During a press conference Wednesday, the university, along with SMU Head Football Coach Rhett Lashlee, announced plans for the immediate construction of the Kevin Jennings Recovery Center as part of the Garry Weber End Zone Complex. The recovery center will be a new student-athlete recovery space designed to aid recovery, enhance performance and support their overall well-being. 

Lashlee spoke on how the idea came about and how the recovery center was a need for student-athletes but also honors Jennings for his unwavering commitment and loyalty to the program. 

“One of the things we were kind of lacking was a recovery center for our student-athletes,” Lashlee said during the press conference. “So, we started talking through the facts of, ‘OK, if we are going to do something, like we have a player that’s been committed to us and loyal to us at an elite level, why don’t we do the same back for him.’” 

Jennings is entering his fifth and final season with the Mustangs and entering his third season as the starting quarterback for SMU. He ranks second in career passing yards and fourth in career passing touchdowns at SMU while leading the ACC in five different stats among returning quarterbacks in 2026. The Mustangs also launched a Heisman campaign titled the K7NG OF DALLAS for the Oak Cliff native to boost his chances during the upcoming season to become the potential second winner in the school’s history. Lashlee continued to talk about how Kevin gives back to the program and to his community. 

“When you start thinking about Kevin, in this era where it’s all about what can players get, Kevin’s about ‘what can I do for other people.’ He has been that way since he showed up, he’s that way when he’s on campus, in his city,” Lashlee said. “Every player that comes through SMU is going to see Kevin’s name up there and be reminded of the impact he had, but also his accomplishments that allowed us to leave something that is going to make their experience here better.” 

Construction on the recovery center (rendering pictured) will begin as soon as possible. As of now, there is no current timetable as to when the center will be finished, but it is expected to be completed within several months. 

The project is funded through a gift from the Holland family, alumni and longtime donors to the university. SMU just closed in on nearly $100 million in athletic donations during the 25/26 fiscal year. 

Jennings reflected on the importance of leaving a mark at SMU, not just for himself but for other student-athletes who walk through the door of SMU. 

“The legacy piece that he [Lashlee] was talking about was my main goal,” Jennings said. “Leaving a legacy behind me for other student-athletes, other football players through SMU just to look back at and be, like, ‘he left a legacy here.’ I’m very fortunate to be able to do that. So, I am super blessed and ready to hit the season with my guys.” 

The Mustangs are two seasons removed from making the jump to the ACC and the Power Four level and making the College Football Playoff with Jennings at the helm as its starting quarterback. Last season, SMU went 9-4, securing its first bowl win since the 1980s in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl against Arizona 24-19. Since Lashlee was named Head Coach in 2021, the Mustangs have continued to accomplish milestone after milestone for the program year after year. 

Jennings has continued to excel since becoming the starter. He finished last season with 3,641 passing yards, 26 touchdown passes and 300 completions while earning various preseason honors entering the 2026 campaign. 

SMU will kick off the upcoming season in less than 50 days on Labor Day at Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla., against Florida State. SMU hopes to continue its trend of resurgence heading into the 2026 season.

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