SMU's Preston Stone to Enter Transfer Portal After CFP

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Numerous monumental developments have highlighted the inaugural Atlantic Coast Conference season of the No. 10 SMU Mustangs (11-2, 8-0). Before going undefeated in conference play and earning a berth in the College Football Playoff, one such event transpired when coach Rhett Lashlee replaced starting quarterback Preston Stone with Kevin Jennings. Lashlee made the consequential move in Week 2 during the Ponies' 18-15 loss to the No. 17 BYU Cougars (10-2, 7-2 Big 12 Conference). It paid off. Jennings' mobility and poise invigorated the SMU offense as he led the team on a nine-game winning streak in which the Mustangs scored fewer than 33 points only once.

Because Jennings is a redshirt sophomore who will return as SMU's starting QB next year, Stone decided to enter the Transfer Portal with one remaining year of NCAA eligibility. He will remain on the team throughout its playoff run before transferring.

About Preston Stone

Stone was a record-setting QB at the prep level, throwing for over 13,000 yards and 145 touchdowns. He played his high school ball in Dallas and joined SMU's 2021 recruiting class as the highest-rated prospect to sign with the Mustangs since the imposition of the NCAA death penalty on the football program.

In 2023, the 6-foot-1, 214-pound signal caller started 12 games for the Mustangs, passing for 3,197 yards and 28 TDs with only 6 interceptions and leading SMU to the American Athletic Conference title game. He missed that conference championship game due to a broken leg suffered in the final regular season contest.

In announcing his decision to enter the Portal, Stone wrote on social media, "It has been an incredible ride playing for this school, and I'm very grateful for every blessing SMU has provided me." He added, "The goal set out at the beginning of this season was to win a national championship, and that goal is still within reach. I plan on keeping my commitment to my teammates to finish the remainder of this season as a Mustang and doing whatever I can to help us win it all."

Despite receiving limited playing time in 2024, Stone put up solid numbers, throwing for 421 yards and 5 TDs with only 1 INT in seven games played. His decision to stick with the team through the CFP is critical. Had he bolted before the Mustangs sought to upset No. 4 Penn State (11-2, 8-1 Big Ten Conference) in the first round of the playoff, SMU's only backup QB would be inexperienced freshman Keldric Lucker.

Well-Respected

SMU teammates and coaches had nothing but praise for Stone after the announcement of his decision. Jennings served as Stone's backup last season and describes him as a "great quarterback" from whom he has learned much. In multiple interviews, Lashlee expressed his fondness for Stone, praising the dignified manner in which he handled the difficult situation of being replaced as QB1.

Possible Destinations

Noting that Stone offers "a combination of experience, maturity and production," the Draft Network forecasts he will garner considerable attention in the portal and forecasts three likely landing spots—the Duke Blue Devils (9-3, 5-3 ACC), the No. 14 Ole Miss Rebels (9-3, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) and the Auburn Tigers (5-7, 2-6 SEC). With the Rebels losing two QBs—Jaxson Dart to the 2025 NFL Draft and Walker Howard to the Transfer Portal—Oxford, Miss. could be an ideal landing spot for Stone, particularly in light of coach Lane Kiffin's offensive creativity.