2028 safety Eli King commits to SMU: ‘They’ve taken care of us from Day 1’
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SMU believed in Eli King before his recruitment took off. Now the Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson safety is rewarding that belief. King has committed to Rhett Lashlee and the Mustangs, choosing SMU over Georgia and Mississippi State.
The 2028 prospect has accumulated 24 offers, but none came before SMU gave him his first opportunity on April 9. That distinction mattered throughout his recruitment. It mattered even more after King returned to Dallas over the weekend and realized he was ready to end the process.
“I just got that feeling,” King told Rivals. “What sealed the deal was us going down there this past weekend to see the game, and it just went amazing.”
King’s recruitment expanded considerably after SMU offered. Georgia, Mississippi State, Auburn, Florida and numerous others eventually entered the picture. The Mustangs never changed their approach.
“They’ve been recruiting me hard from the day they offered me. This process is just as important for my family as it is for me as well, so we also just appreciate how well they’ve taken care of us every time we’ve went down. They treat us with the utmost respect.”
King ranks as a three-star prospect in the current Rivals Industry Ranking. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound safety checks in as the No. 26 in Alabama.
The rankings and offers changed as King emerged as a national recruit. His feelings about SMU didn’t. He viewed the Mustangs as a serious contender from the beginning.
“I knew from the day they offered that they would automatically be a top choice for me just simply because of how genuine they are and how bad they want me,” King said. “They’re also very intentional with every little detail, and I know they have a plan for me down there.”
Dallas also provides a family connection. King’s mother’s side of the family is from the area, giving him a sense of familiarity away from home.
“My mom’s side of the family is from Dallas, so it’s always just felt like a second home to me,” King said.
Weekend visit checks the final box
King didn’t enter the weekend simply looking for another game-day experience. SMU had positioned itself prominently enough that the visit provided an opportunity to confirm everything he had already seen throughout the recruiting process.
It did exactly that.
“They took great care of me and my family, and we also knew going into it how genuine they were about getting me in their program,” King said. “The game just kind of checked the last box for me.”
The timing felt right. King pointed to three primary reasons for his decision: the coaching, SMU’s hospitality and the plan the Mustangs have presented for his future.
SMU also made sure King never forgot who believed in him first.
“They’ve taken care of us from Day 1, and they were also the coaching staff to believe in me and give me my first opportunity. They did a great job expressing that during our time down there.”
King believes in what Lashlee is building
King has also bought into the direction of Lashlee’s program.
“Coach Lash is a really great leader,” King said. “He’s such a positive guy, it’s hard to not root for him and the program. He has years under his belt, and he just keeps continuing to prove himself as one of the best coaches on the rise right now.
“I trust him and the whole staff with my future.”
That trust extends throughout SMU’s defensive staff, but King has developed an especially strong connection with Jonathan McGill. The two communicate almost every other day, and their conversations regularly extend beyond football.
“Coach McGill is hands down one of the best young defensive minds in the game, and he has a very big future in coaching ahead of him. We talk almost every other day, even about things other than football. He really knows what he’s talking about.”
SMU also has a clear vision for King on the field. Rather than locking him into one role, the Mustangs believe his versatility will allow them to move him throughout the secondary.
“He, along with the other coaches, has told me that I’m versatile enough to play all around their secondary, and I’m very excited to do so,” King said.
SMU started this recruitment before anyone else. After 23 more offers and serious pushes from programs across the SEC and beyond, the Mustangs finished it, too.
“This whole SMU staff is great and are some amazing people,” King said. “I’m excited to be able to spend my next three-to-five years with them even outside of football.”
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