Joshua Bates anchors SMU’s line with preseason All-ACC buzz
In the 2026 season, Joshua Bates enters as a redshirt sophomore center who has already earned preseason All-ACC and Rimington Trophy watch-list recognition, a strong sign he’s viewed as one of SMU’s best bets up front. He’s a veteran presence for a veteran offensive line, and reports praise him as an immediate-impact transfer who helped SMU’s offense stay efficient in 2025. At 6-foot-3 and about 310 pounds, Bates brings size, experience, and stability—exactly what you want from a center if you care about protecting the quarterback and keeping the run game on schedule.
