Know Your Foe: SMU Football Players to Watch

Key players from the Mustangs to watch when they take on the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday.

The TCU Horned Frogs take on SMU on Saturday, September 23. Here are some key players on the SMU team that TCU fans should know before the game. 

QB Preston Stone

This will be Preston Stone's first-ever game against TCU. He is a very talented QB with a lot of potential. So far this season, he has shown he can be a good quarterback. He has a decent arm and can escape the pocket if needed. Stone has a lot of weapons around him, which makes him even more dangerous. TCU must slow down their run and force him to make the errors to win this game

Preston Stone	2023 Season Statistics
YDS	798
TD	9
INT	2
QBR	69.5

SMU quarterback Preston Stone / © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

RB LJ Johnson Jr. and Jaylan Knighton

This running back duo is very dangerous. They are both strong backs with a different style of running. LJ Johnson Jr. plays a little bit of a receiver role as well. He is very dangerous in catch-and-run situations and is a quarterback's best friend. His acceleration is top level and really can break through defenses. As for Jaylon Knighton, he is very good at analyzing the field and finding gaps. The two backs complement each other very well. TCU has been great at stopping the run, so they should be able to slow the two backs down.

Preston Stone	2023 Season Statistics
YDS	798
TD	9
INT	2
QBR	69.5

Preston Stone	2023 Season Statistics
YDS	798
TD	9
INT	2
QBR	69.5

WR Jake Bailey

Jake Bailey Is the team's leading receiver so far this season. He is a very talented receiver, standing at 5'10" and 188 pounds. He has quick bursts of speed along with great route running, allowing him to escape from defenders. The Mustangs have a talented receiving core. The Horned Frogs' secondary needs to step it up, or Bailey and the rest of the receiving core could be a huge problem.

Preston Stone	2023 Season Statistics
YDS	798
TD	9
INT	2
QBR	69.5

WR Jordan Hudson

Jordan Hudson, who transferred from TCU,  has so much potential and talent that we started to see at TCU but have really started to see in his first season at SMU. He is a deep ball and end zone threat. He is one of Stones's top targets, so expect him to see a lot of game action. The Frogs definitely know he is one to watch out for.

Preston Stone	2023 Season Statistics
YDS	798
TD	9
INT	2
QBR	69.5

S Johnathan McGill

Johnathan McGill is the team's lead tackler and has been stellar this season. He is very talented and quick. He is very good at reading and covering the entire field. Chandler Morris needs to make his throws count, or McGill could be a problem.

Preston Stone	2023 Season Statistics
YDS	798
TD	9
INT	2
QBR	69.5

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