During ACC Media Days in Charlotte, SMU quarterback Preston Stone expressed his association with the Atlantic Coast Conference, showcasing his excitement and confidence in the program’s future. Stone and coach Rhett Lashlee are leading SMU into the power-conference ranks of college football in 2024, with the Mustangs joining Cal and Stanford as the ACC’s new member schools. Despite lacking recent football tradition, SMU has a rich history in the Southwest Conference, competing against strong teams like Texas, Texas A&M, and Arkansas in the past. Lashlee emphasized the program’s success in the Southwest Conference, winning championships and national titles, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return to the national stage. SMU had a successful 11-3 campaign in the American Athletic Conference, culminating in a conference championship win, marking their winningest season since 1982.
Lashlee acknowledged the challenges of moving up in competition and highlighted the team’s preparation by adding transfers, particularly in the offensive and defensive lines. The upcoming ACC schedule includes tough opponents like Florida State and Louisville, but Lashlee expressed confidence in SMU’s ability to compete at a higher level. Stone, a Dallas native, reflected on his journey to becoming SMU’s quarterback and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to play in the ACC. With a successful redshirt sophomore season under his belt, Stone is ready to lead SMU into this new chapter of college football.
