Everything Kevin Jennings said ahead of East Texas A&M

SMU QB Kevin Jennings spoke to the media after practice on Tuesday. Here is everything the junior QB said ahead of the week one matchup vs. East Texas A&M:

On handling being the starting QB over the offseason:  Yeah, it’s been very different and fun at the same time. Just being able to come in knowing I’m a starter, it feels good. To be able to go out there be able to lead a certain way is the key. W

On where Kevin’s offseason focus was: I think being more precise in the pocket, not scrambling out every time, and just trying to make plays outside the pocket. But also standing in the pocket, making plays. Also, decision-making, making smarter plays with the ball. I think I upgraded my game as best as I could.

On the growing chemistry within the offense: Yeah, it’s definitely, it’s built really well, and it’s still building us now. We talked about it a couple of days ago, it’s brotherhood, coming together, being united as one, it’s building chemistry. We’ve been talking about that for the past month or so. So I think it’s going along really well and everybody’s coming and gelling together, 

On dealing with all the new pass-catchers on offense: Yeah, we had a lot of changes, a lot of new faces this year, and some guys stepping up. So I’m really excited for them, I think they’re ready for their time to come. 

On how different the offense will look with a healthy RJ Maryland and Matthew Hibner Yeah, I think it’ll look very different. Now the team’s gotta watch out for both of them, they can’t just double one receiver. We got all four guys, we got Matt Hibner, RJ, Jordan Hudson, Mello, all those guys out there. So it just opened up space for everybody else to have those two big buddies out there, which is mismatches for the defense, and opened us all up. 

On whether Matt Hibner’s productive season in 2024 surprised Kevin: Not at all, when he came in, fall camp, and all that, he balled. As soon as he came in, he was balling and making plays. So he didn’t really surprise me at all. I expected him to do that; that’s what he did. 

On having reliable receiving options out of the backfield: Yeah, those guys are great.

Losing a great back like Brashard, it’s kind of hard to replace him. But those guys are, they’re ready for the challenge to come in. We got, like you said, four good backs that can all play. They will all line up early and see who can make plays out there. I think that just opens up our offense some more and makes it more dynamic as well. Spreading them guys out, letting them make plays. And it’s gonna be a really fun season for us.

On where the confidence about this team comes from:  Yeah, I think it definitely started in the offseason. Just seeing the team in summer workouts, seeing the team in fall camp, and all of that. Just knowing that everybody is ready for the challenge. We know last year we had a good season, and that’s our goal to just get back there and win it this year. And I think everybody is prepared for that. 

On Kevin’s role in leading the team to success: Yeah, I mean, it was quite easy just to come in with these guys. Just make sure everybody’s competing each and every day.

And I think that’s what leads to great seasons, is making sure we’re competing in the offseason and making everyone better by competing in the workouts. So that’s really all I did, was make sure everybody competed and stayed on everybody. 

On the excitement around Jordan Hudson: Yeah, I’m super excited. I’ve been playing with Jordan Hudson for a minute. I played with him in 7-on-7 ball in high school and all of that. So I know what he had all along. And this year’s the breakout season. I’m excited for him. He’s gonna go crazy, for sure. 

On which of the last two offseasons felt longer: Man, it’s been forever now. After that last game, it’s felt like it’s been years since we’ve been on the field. So I’m excited this Saturday to go on the field and battle with my teammates. 

On if being on preseason watchlists adds pressure: I don’t really feel any pressure, honestly. It’s really a blessing, because a year ago, who would have thought I’d be there? So it’s honestly a blessing from God, just giving me these honors and all of that.

And my job is just to go fulfill those honors. 

On how the team does not overlook East Texas A&M: The way we look at it, we get 12 guaranteed opportunities to play football. So why not just go full speed and try your hardest each and every game? Because that team, like East Texas A&M, has great athletes around the board. So it’s not gonna be just a slouch game, it’s on for us.  

On waiting until 8 p.m. to play: We’ll be in the hotel watching games, but yeah, yeah. Definitely will be tough, though. 

On the importance of improvising:  Yeah, I think it’s very important. Not every place I’m gonna go is planned. It’s sometimes the players make the plays; you can get out of the pocket and just be able to connect and have that chemistry with my receivers. I know what I’m gonna do as soon as I escape the pocket. I think we practice that a lot, scramble drills. So I think it’s very important for that. I think all around college, scramble drills are like the most impressive place of the year, so I think it’s there.