SMU is on the rise, and Steve Sarkisian should be paying attention. Rhett Lashlee’s junior day is set to bring in top-tier talent, and the Mustangs are flexing with a record-breaking three On300 recruits in the 2025 class. Their momentum is undeniable, and the championship culture they’re building is grabbing attention. As of now, Sarkisian’s Texas program might feel the heat as SMU’s talent accumulation is shaking things up. Texas, watch out—the Mustangs are coming for the crown!

In a recent Rivals video, SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee dropped a bombshell on their recruiting strategy. “Our move to the ACC has allowed us to make Dallas and Texas high school recruiting a bigger priority,” Lashlee said. “Now, we don’t have to rely on the transfer portal to build our program—we can supplement it that way, and we’re still a transfer destination. But that’s not our main focus.” SMU is shifting gears, locking in on high school talent while staying true to their transfer route. It’s a bold approach.

And the proof is in the numbers. “You can see the shift,” Rhett said. “We signed 11 players from the DFW area—the most of any school in the country. We signed 18 players from Texas, 19 high school players, and only 14 transfers. That balance is starting to change.” What’s driving this success? Lashlee’s got a clear philosophy: “It’s definitely an inside-out approach.” SMU is locking down homegrown talent and building from within—setting the foundation for a powerhouse program. The strategy is working, and the Mustangs are only getting stronger. And why not?

SMU’s got a major advantage—being the only Division One Power Four school within 30 miles of downtown Dallas. And the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex? It’s a goldmine for Division One talent. Each year, it churns out some of the best prospects in the country. But it’s difficult. The competition is fierce, with top-tier schools all vying for the same players. Safe to say, Sarkisian’s Texas is stacked with talent, and that’s before even considering the out-of-state programs coming in hot. However, SMU’s in the heart of it all, and they’re making their move.

That being said, SMU’s momentum is undeniable. And the recruiting game is always evolving. But they feel the shift. Today’s signing class? It’s just the start—the ripple effect from last season’s success. But the real wave? It’s coming with the 2026 class. Looks like the CFP season is paying off. And on top of that, Lashlee’s off to a blazing start with a career head coaching record of 29-12 (.707)—the second-most wins for a HC in their first 3 years in program history.

As of now, Texas may be feeling the heat from SMU’s recruiting surge, but head coach Sark isn’t backing down. He’s making headlines, staking his claim among the CFB powerhouses.

Texas’ head coach outperforms SMU

Sarkisian is a force to be reckoned with in CFB. Known for his sharp player development, solid program building, and top-tier recruiting, Sark has built a powerhouse. Yet, despite all his success, the elusive national championship has slipped through his fingers. Twice, he’s made it to the CFP semifinals, but the ultimate prize evades him.

And the tiresome chore of evaluating the top CFB coaches fell to Ari Wasserman of On3. He considered metrics like recruiting, talent development, national titles, and previous and recent achievements. So, where on the list is Sarkisian? Wasserman ranked the Texas coach No. 4. “It may be easy to mock Sarkisian for that goal line toss Texas called lated in the loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal. But when you zoom out, Sarkisian has brought Texas all the way ‘back’, ” said Wasserman.

Georgia’s Kirby Smart, OSU’s Ryan Day, and Oregon’s Dan Lanning are ranked first, second, and third, respectively, after Sark. And Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman completes the top five. As of now, it makes sense that Sark sits behind Smart and Day—they’ve both won national titles. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, the only other active coach with a title, ranks No. 6. Sark, Lanning, and Freeman are in the mix, though. They’ve had massive success, just not the ultimate prize. But don’t count them out—greatness is on the horizon.