With official visits peaking and recruiting boards shifting like tectonic plates, one commitment on Tuesday sent a tremor through the Lone Star State. While Texas A&M commit Madden Williams had dominated headlines in recent weeks, it was Rhett Lashlee’s Southern Methodist Mustangs who made the latest power play—snatching a coveted defender right out from under the noses of a national field that included over 130 FBS programs. The commitment didn’t just check a box on the recruiting board—it marked a culture win for a program preparing to crash the power conference party with style.

Enter Markel Dabney, the do-it-all, three-star athlete out of Richmond, Virginia’s Huguenot High School. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior announced his commitment to SMU, confirming that he’ll be taking his talents to Dallas in 2026. Ranked as the No. 18 overall prospect in the state, Dabney’s decision marks one of the most significant pickups in SMU’s 2026 cycle. A linebacker by projection but an athlete by résumé, Dabney turned heads across the country with his versatility, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Power Five recruiters.

But while programs from coast to coast made their pitches, Dabney said the magic was in the Mustangs’ building. “I feel like it’s the best fit for me as of right now,” he told Rivals.com. “The culture in the facility stands out. Everybody in that building loves being around each other, and that’s something almost everybody wants to be a part of!” Culture isn’t a buzzword for Dabney—it’s a compass. And his commitment reflects more than just depth chart analysis; it’s a nod to the relationships he built with the SMU staff during his official visit from May 2 to May 4.

Chief among those relationships? His bond with Lashlee’s DC/safeties coach Scott Symons and co-DC Maurice Crum Jr. “Me and Coach Crum’s relationship is very tight. He’s the one I would say I’m closest with,” Dabney added. “Coach Lashlee and I’s relationship, along with the rest of the coaching staff, is great.” That trust in leadership and clarity in vision is what separates SMU from a crowded recruiting field. And when Rhett Lashlee gets someone who believes in the staff and not just the stat sheet, it’s usually the beginning of something real.

On the field, Dabney has already shown he’s more than just a projection. He was a wrecking ball on defense and a mismatch nightmare on offense. In 2024, he posted 74 tackles—35 of them solo—along with four sacks, five pass break-ups, four forced fumbles, and two pick-sixes. On the other side of the ball, he caught 45 passes for 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns as a WR. The term “two-way threat” might not even do him justice—he’s a Swiss Army knife dipped in rocket fuel. But in Dallas, his future lies on defense, where he’s expected to thrive in a hybrid linebacker/nickel role that suits both his physicality and football IQ.

SMU isn’t just banking on athleticism—it’s banking on impact. And make no mistake: Dabney didn’t just commit; he made a statement. By choosing the Mustangs over offers from the likes of Florida State, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Miami, and Duke, he essentially told 134 FBS schools, I’ve found what I need, and it’s not what you’re selling. This is what Rhett Lashlee has been building since taking over in Dallas—a program that not only competes with the big brands.

SMU lands another 365-pound recruiting statement

If SMU football needed a headline-grabbing moment to show the world it’s not messing around on the recruiting trail, Sunday delivered. And it came in the form of 365 pounds of pure offensive line muscle.

Pupungatoa Katoa, a 6-foot-3.5, 365-pound powerhouse from Euless Trinity, shocked many by picking SMU over SEC giants Oklahoma and Texas A&M. The commitment dropped on Mother’s Day and carried deep emotional weight for Katoa. “They really made me and my family feel comfortable there and my aunty Jenny Katoa, who is a mother figure to me, made her feel really special and it made me feel my Mom’s spirit,” he said.

Ranked No. 93 among interior offensive linemen by 247Sports, Katoa is the latest proof that head coach Rhett Lashlee has serious recruiting momentum in Dallas. Over the weekend, Katoa soaked up SMU’s family-first culture—sharing meals with Lashlee and his wife, mingling with players, and getting a hands-on look at how offensive line coach Garin Justice works.

“Coach Justice coaches everyone different, which is what I like,” Katoa explained. “He helps develop players… I’m happy they made me and my family feel great here.” There’s no doubt Rhett Lashlee and Co. are planting their flag on the recruiting map.