SMU MUSTANGS 2008 SIGNING PREVIEW

QUICK LINK: Jump straight to the list of signees

INSTANT CONTRIBUTIONS:
Perhaps the biggest name of SMU's 2008 recruiting class fell right out of the clear blue sky -- Prosper TE Taylor Thompson. Thompson finishes up his senior season as arguably the best tight end in the state, and as surpising as it would have sounded a few weeks ago for someone to have dropped Vanderbilt for SMU, that's exactly what happened just five days before signing day. The Mustangs already have a big name at TE in former prep star Vincent Chase, but it's high-time to call that signing a disappointment (11-106, 1 TD receiving in 2007), so expect Thompson to jump right into the mix in his freshman season. ... SMU's defense was one of the worst in the country last year, giving up an average of almost 40 points and 500 yards per game (300 of which were in the air), so it goes without saying that the entire unit could see sweeping changes heading into '08. A&M Consolidated LB Andrew Ellison gives the Mustangs several things they're needing, like size, muscle and speed, so both Ellison and FB Kempner DB Chris Banjo, a great tackling safety, could see time in certain situations in the upcoming season. One of the best recruits of the class came right at the wire in Richland S Victor Jones, who was an Oklahoma State commit before joining the Mustangs (you can read more on that below). He's a pretty talented defensive player and can add some BCS-level playmaking ability to the Ponies' secondary.