It might be a bad year to be a defensive back in the American Athletic Conference. At least for those in the secondary lining up against SMU it will be. The Mustangs might not have their quarterback situation solved quite yet, but whoever emerges, as the starter will be spoiled with reliable targets.
The receiving corps is led by potential first round draft pick Courtland Sutton. SMU fans are familiar with the rising junior and his name will become even more recognized throughout the country if he continues to do what he has done in the past two seasons. The 6-foot-4 wide out has scored 19 touchdowns in the last two years and accumulated 2,108 yards through the air. He surprised some when he decided to return for his junior year and there is no reason to expect his production to slow down this season, especially with the emergence of other targets on the outside and over the middle.
The addition of Trey Quinn will do more than take pressure off of Sutton. The LSU transfer impressed coaches and teammates throughout spring practice and the former four-star receiver should excel with more playtime than he had in two seasons in Baton Rouge. A 6-foot wide out with a steady set of hands of breakaway speed, Quinn will have an immediate impact for the Mustangs across the field from Sutton.
James Proche is coming off of a very nice redshirt freshman season. Reeling in six touchdowns and catching 57 balls for 709 yards, Proche emerged in 2016 as an explosive receiving option. He could be a mismatch over the middle if safeties are occupied with Sutton and Quinn and should be able to exploit slower linebackers or nickel defensive backs. He will be a critical depth receiving option for SMU and can open up a lot of looks in the passing game.
Other depth receivers like Kevin Thomas, Shelby Walker and Alex Honey are bigger targets that can sub in for Sutton and Quinn. They both saw the field last season and Thomas has 325 career receiving yards. Surely there is no lack of depth in the receiving department for SMU and that could allow them to redshirt incoming freshmen Judah Bell or Tyler Page.
