Kevin Jennings threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns in SMU’s win over Florida State in 2024. Jennings was making one of his first starts for the Mustangs. And as it turned out he was just getting started.

Jennings has since produced seven 300-yard games and helped guide SMU to 20 victories (including 14 ACC wins) in the program’s first two years in the league.

“We’ve got a great awareness of the talent that’s coming in against us,” FSU coach Mike Norvell said.

Jennings has enjoyed back-to-back 3,000-yard passing seasons and SMU launched a preseason Heisman Trophy campaign in July at ACC Kickoff. The senior will begin his 2026 season against Florida State on Monday (7:30 p.m. on ESPN) in the ACC opener for both teams.

He’s not the tallest (6-foot) or biggest (192 pounds) but he’s as dangerous as any quarterback in the ACC. Jennings isn’t known as a true runner but instead is elusive in the pocket, often escaping to throw on the run.

There are mistakes - 13 interceptions in 13 games in 2025 - and Jennings was still sacked 19 times. But he also completed 66.1 percent of his passes last fall. That’s slightly higher than his completion percentage (65.0) from 2024.

Jennings was a diamond in the rough at Dallas’ South Oak Cliff High, just 12 miles from SMU’s campus. Coach Rhett Lashlee recruited Jennings, a three-star quarterback who had interest from FCS schools, but SMU was by far his best offer.

He has built quite the resume but Jennings is still grounded.

"It's remembering where I come from, honestly," Jennings said at ACC Kickoff in July. "At first it wasn't all of this coming into college. I didn't have all the offers. SMU believed in me. Staying honest to my roots, having my teammates check me anytime I get out of place. I'm working as hard as possible. That's the main thing, for sure, just having great people around me."

In his first season as a starter, Jennings was widely criticized for his three interceptions in a 38-10 first-round playoff loss at Penn State. But lost in that loss is the reality that SMU battled Clemson in the ACC title game before losing 34-31 in the Mustangs’ first season in the league. In 2025, Jennings and SMU were a win at Cal away from making the ACC title game in December instead of Duke.

Jennings will at times deliver some big runs, producing a 26-yarder at Cal and a 16-yarder against Louisville. But it’s his elusiveness, arm and ability to throw on the move that challenges defenses.

“He can make all the throws. He’s mobile as heck,” FSU defensive coordinator Tony White said. “Smart, he knows where to go with the football. When in doubt you can see the trust he has in his players. Guys are blitzing him and he runs back and he tosses the ball up and those guys come down with the ball.”

FSU stopped the run in the opener, allowing just 47 yards. But New Mexico State quarterback Trey Hedden completed nine straight third-down throws as the Aggies were able to build drives.

Now, the Seminoles face a tough, familiar challenge in Jennings. SMU returns receiver Yamir Knight (47 catches, 637 yards, five TDs), receiver Jalen Cooper (17 for 232 yards) and running back Derrick McFall (19 for 160). The Mustangs also brought in FSU transfer Randy Pittman at tight end, who had 23 catches for 208 yards and two touchdowns in nine games last season.

“They have weapons for their system and the most important guy with the ball in his hands,” White said. “He’s a vet and he knows what to do. It’s going to be a tall task.”

Thanks for reading the Osceola. Subscribe now for 40 percent off to enjoy a full year of coverage of FSU athletics. You’ll also earn a $20 gift card at Alumni Hall.