Realignment aside, there has actually been some other news in and around The Hilltop.

And we'll start with something a bit more superfluous.

The announce of the new blue Dallas unis before Tuesday's practice. The hype and pure joy late-teen and early 20-somethings express when getting a new jersey is something to behold.

This new top is a follow-up to last year's all-white version.

It's a simple blue jersey with white Dallas lettering and numbers - a new number font - and red sleeve cuffs. Gone are the shoulder stripes, though.

Here's a straight-on view.

In the span of the last eight days, July 21 through July 28, SMU football players have been added to five different award watch lists.

After being named to the Maxwell Award Watch list last Tuesday, running back Ulysses Bentley IV was added to the Doak Walker Award Watch List, which is presented to the nation's top running back.

On Thursday, July 22, receivers Rashee Rice and Reggie Roberson, Jr. were listed on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, which goes to the most outstanding FBS receiver.

To end last week, tight end Grant Calcaterra was named to the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List, which is awarded to the best tight end at the end of the season.

Moving to this week, Jaylon Thomas was named to the Outland Trophy Watch List on Tuesday. The award is given the nation's top interior lineman.

And just this Wednesday morning, Blake Mazza was named to the Lou Groza Watch List, which honors the best place-kicker in football.

More award watch lists should be coming for SMU football as the Paul Hornung Award and Wuerffel Trophy lists will be announced Thursday and the Walter Camp Award Watch List will be released on Friday.

A bit of information about the men's basketball schedule was released recently as well.

SMU will partake in the 2021 Jacksonville Classic at the University of North Florida in November along with Missouri, Florida State and Loyola Marymount.

SMU will square off against Missouri first on Sunday, November 22, and then meet either Florida State or LMU the next day.

Two days later, SMU will match up with newcomer Zach Nutall's former squad, Sam Houston State.

On the recruiting front, Tim Jankovich and crew recently put an offer in front of 2022 guard Chase Ross.

Ross is a rising prospect, standing at 6'4" playing for Cushing Academy in Massachusetts and Drive Nation AAU.

Ross is being looked at pretty hard by Boston College, Kansas State, Marquette, Penn State and Rutgers. He also holds offers from New Mexico, VCU, Mississippi State, Georgia and Arizona State.

Ross' stock has risen quickly after this summer's AAU circuit.