SMU Wins Big With Dakota Dickson Committing to Mustangs

It wasn’t Washington, it wasn’t a Big 10 heavyweight, and it certainly wasn’t expected this soon.

When 6-foot-4, 280-pound defensive tackle Dakota Dickson made his surprise commitment to SMU on Monday, it sent ripples across the recruiting landscape and ignited excitement among Mustangs fans craving defensive dominance.

Dickson, a product of Monte Vista High School in Danville, California, had been scheduled to visit Washington later this month. Ranked the No. 74 defensive lineman nationally and No. 667 overall in the 2026 class by 247Sports Composite, Dickson had Power Four programs knocking. But after his official visit to Dallas, the Mustangs closed the deal.

And just like that, SMU landed a foundational piece in the trenches.

For a program that just stepped into the ACC in 2024, this is the kind of recruiting victory SMU needs to compete on a national level. Dickson’s frame, motor, and disruptive skill set drew attention from Big 10 schools and beyond, but it was Rhett Lashlee’s vision and defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux’s pitch that sealed the deal.

Dickson is expected to be a centerpiece of SMU’s 2026 defensive front, offering versatility to play across multiple techniques in both odd and even fronts. He’s not just a plugger, he can penetrate, shed blocks, and collapse pockets.

By cutting his recruitment short before his Washington visit, Dickson made it clear: SMU wasn’t just a stop, it was the destination. And for Mustangs fans, it signals something bigger.

This wasn’t a fluke. This was strategy, momentum, and a vision paying off.

SMU’s 2026 class is quietly becoming one of the most competitive among the ACC. Dickson is a statement piece, a blue-collar, high-upside tackle from California choosing to build his future in Texas.

With Dickson in the fold, SMU adds a cornerstone to a defense that will be tested in the ACC. His commitment gives Lashlee and Thibodeaux recruiting momentum and credibility in national battles. Expect more high-profile defensive targets to take notice.

And for Mustang fans dreaming of a tougher, more physical defense? They’ve just found their man in the middle.