SMU capped off another successful signing day today signing 19 2018 athletes, leaving just two open scholarship positions for next season.

Sure, the Mustangs' team recruiting ranking dropped heavily when SMU lost a couple key targets but Sonny Dykes and his staff managed to sign nine 3-star prospects, still more than any signing class since 2012.

Dykes and the staff relied heavily on five JUCO additions but also locked down some big future contributors in Shabazz Dotson and Treveon Johnson. The staff let some of the old commits open up their recruitment and weigh options, only keeping seven of Chad Morris's committed 2018 players.

"We had some tough conversations with some kids," Dykes said. "We looked at their film and they weren’t going to be a good fit here. I like to be brutally honest with people because it creates trust."

The SMU staff focused heavily on recruiting size, not just heaviness, but length and strength as well, which is why they went after JUCO athletes first. Dykes wants to solidify the play on both sides of the line first, then go after some top talent at skill positions next go-around.

"We want to stay out of the JUCO guys as much as we can, I think we can go there for a cornerback from time to time but we want to get out of that business," Dykes said.

With the two remaining scholarships, Dykes says he wants to go after some grad transfers--receivers, if they're the right fit. Up next for the Mustangs? Spring practice and beginning to establish their own culture.

"People want to see a commitment to football," Dykes said. "It really comes down to how committed the school is to being elite."

Everyone knows becoming elite starts with showing support, financially, to develop the football facilities. The Mustangs are already renovating the locker rooms and construction for the indoor practice facility should be completed in just over a year. The second part of being elite is a passionate fan base. The Mustangs went 7-5 in the 2017 regular season but Dykes knows SMU needs to start stacking winning seasons if they want to gain the support of the Dallas community.

"I think our ultimate goal is to get in the big 12, play big games with sold out crowds against UT, I think that’s the goal, at least that's my goal," Dykes said. "So for now we have to win, win, win. The way you get more people is to have more success."

It's not going to be an easy task to change the SMU culture. If Chad Morris's high-energy, motto-filled campaign couldn't do it then it certainly won't happen for Dykes in a season, but signing a 2018 class full of immediate contributors who will come in and compete was a great place to start. Class of 2019 is up next.

Check out who SMU hosted for the first Junior Day under Sonny Dykes.