Rhett Lashlee's SMU lands commitment of Robert Rahimi from San Jose State for 2025 season

After making the CFP, the SMU Mustangs are already looking to improve in 2025 after getting former San Jose State Spartans safety Robert Rahimi to sign with the team in the transfer portal, as per On3’s Pete Nakos. Rahimi will play his final season with the Mustangs.

Rahimi initially committed to transfer to SMU two years ago, but never made it to campus, going all the way to San Jose to join the Spartans instead after spending two years with the Liberty Flames.

The senior safety will go to Southern Methodist after registering a career-high 82 tackles, five passes defended and five interceptions in 2024. He also added a sack for the Spartans and was selected All-Mountain West Second Team.

While SMU ranked a respectable 31st in the nation in total defense, they struggled against the pass allowing 233.7 yards per game, 83rd in the nation. Rahimi should help the team avoid some of the big plays they gave up this season.

In his college career, the Santa Ana, California native has racked up 160 tackles, 11 interceptions, seven pass deflections and 1.5 sacks.

SMU finished the season ranked No. 11 in the College Football Playoff poll, but was eliminated in the first round of the postseason losing on the road to Penn State 38-10, turning the ball over three times in the first half.

Their selection to the CFP was controversial, as the Mustangs had no wins over ranked opponents and lost the ACC Championship Game to Clemson. SEC schools Alabama, South Carolina and Ole Miss had three losses each but also had better wins against a tougher schedule than Southern Methodist.

Robert Rahimi the latest addition to Rhett Lashlee’s SMU Mustangs

While Robert Rahimi’s signing should help improve the Mustangs for the 2025 season, it is hardly the only move Rhett Lashlee has made in this transfer portal. The Mustangs have already welcomed 10 players via this year’s portal.

Among the transfers are former Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, interior offensive linemen Joshua Bates (Oklahoma) and Addison Nichols (Arkansas), as well as two players from Miami: Running back Christopher Johnson and tackle Zion Nelson.

Furthermore, Rahimi is the first addition to the Mustangs' secondary. However, incoming defensive linemen Trey Wilson (Baylor), Damarhije Lewis (Purdue) Eric Taylor (Mississippi State), as well as defensive end Deshawn Warner (Kansas) could help improve the pass defense by controlling the line of scrimmage.

According to 247 Sports, the Mustangs have the 44th-best transfer portal ranking in the nation.