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Memphis transfer DT Keveion'ta Spears commits to SMU

On3 imageby:Billy Embody•04/27/25•

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Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis transfer defensive lineman Keveion’ta Spears has committed to SMU, he announced. The Mustangs landed the big 6-4, 297-pound defensive lineman after he entered the portal this month.

In 36 games over his career, Spears compiled 30 tackles, 16 solo, two sacks, six tackles for loss and a pass breakup. The Baton Rouge, La. native transferred to Memphis from Louisiana Tech after the 2022 season. He started eight games in 2023 for Memphis.

Spears is the latest piece to the puzzle for SMU’s new-look defensive line room. He can bring some serious size to the middle of the defensive for Calvin Thibodeaux’ room.

SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said the Mustangs needed to find out where the defensive production is going to be replaced in 2025 as spring practice came to an end.

“I think we’ve got a chance and I think we’ve got a long way to go, because it’s it’s hard to have the level of success we want to have. But I do think we have a team that has a chance,” Lashlee said. “I think the biggest thing we have to figure out is where are we going to replace the production on the D-line, particularly the interior D-line. I think we have enough for turning players and incoming guys on the edges to still be really good. Where do we have, not only the production, but the depth at D-tackle. And I think linebacker. When you lose two linebackers of caliber we did, we like the guys that are back, it’s just a lot.

“That’s a lot of games, that’s a lot of tackles, that’s a lot of experience. So I think that’s the area on defense that we need, right up the middle. And we believe in the linebackers on our roster and we believe in the D linemen, getting them all healthy and all that, and some of the pieces coming in.”

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