Amid all the talk about a defense-heavy freshman class this spring and summer, SMU head coach Chad Morris called out several experienced defensive players to prove themselves. Some of them did, and they are listed as starters for Saturday’s season opener vs. North Texas.
At SMU’s media day on Tuesday, Morris and defensive coordinator Van Malone lauded senior Nick Horton’s transition from linebacker to defensive end. After three years at linebacker, he is listed as a starter at defensive end.
As a linebacker, Horton struggled. He started the first four games of 2015, but hardly played afterward.