SEC Blue Blood Accused of Tampering With SMU QB Kevin Jennings
SEC Blue Blood Accused of Tampering With SMU QB Kevin Jennings originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
In a college football world where player loyalty is under constant siege, the latest bombshell out of Dallas is hitting Mustang fans where it hurts.
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According to On3's Billy Embody, the Alabama Crimson Tide, yes, that Alabama, allegedly tried to lure SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings into the transfer portal this offseason. The move, if true, would represent a stunning case of potential tampering by a national powerhouse targeting one of college football's most electric young quarterbacks.
The speculation caught fire after Jennings' name was notably absent from the Manning Passing Academy list, despite his breakout 2024 season. Alabama's Ty Simpson wasincluded, a curious detail that Embody called out on social media.
'Alabama tried to recruit Kevin Jennings into the transfer portal to take over for Milroe, but sure, Ty Simpson deserves a notable mention over Kevin Jennings,' Embody wrote.
Jennings, the 6-foot dual-threat phenom from Dallas, is coming off a jaw-dropping campaign in which he threw for 3,245 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for another 354 yards and five scores. More importantly, he led the Mustangs to an 11-3 record, an ACC Championship appearance, and their first-ever College Football Playoff berth. His return was expected to catapult SMU into the national conversation once again in 2025.
Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) throws the ball during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium.Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Instead, fans are left wondering: Did Alabama try to take that future away?
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While Jennings reaffirmed his commitment to SMU just days before their playoff loss to Penn State, questions now loom about how widespread these types of backdoor recruitment efforts truly are. Jennings has not directly commented on the report, but his actions speak volumes.
Still, in today's Wild West of NIL deals and unchecked transfer portal manipulation, such stories are becoming all too common. Power programs like Alabama, equipped with deep-pocketed boosters and national brands can, and often do, turn Group of Five stars into targets.
This isn't the first time Alabama has faced such accusations either. Just last year, the Tide were reportedly linked to Miami (OH) kicker Graham Nicholson before those whispers faded from the headlines.
If these allegations hold water, the NCAA may soon find itself under renewed pressure to implement stricter tampering rules, though enforcement remains a pipe dream to many.
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For SMU fans, the message is clear: Kevin Jennings stayed true. But the vultures are circling, and college football's transfer culture shows no signs of slowing down.
Related: ESPN analyst has words for SMU Football's playoff credibility
Related: SMU Football Makes Underrated Hire After Playoff Season
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
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