Kendrick Raphael News, Rumors, Updates - SMU Mustangs

Ole Miss rises to No. 4 with win over LSU

Mississippi climbed to No. 4 in the AP Top 25 rankings after defeating LSU 32-24

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Rules the backfield in road loss Raphael totaled 24 rushes for 197 yards and three touchdowns during Saturday's 41-31 loss to Louisville.

Impact The Mustangs suffered a 10-point loss, but it was no fault of Raphael. Kevin Jennings was struggling a bit in the passing game, and Raphael's backfield mate Dramekco Green was limited to 2.6 yards per carry on nine totes. But, Raphael exploded for 8.2 yards per attempt, and his three rushing scores were the most for an SMU player since Nov. 8, 2025, when Derrick McFall scored three against Boston College. It was the first time a Mustang rushed for at least 150 yards since Brashard Smith against Pitt on Nov. 2, 2024.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Big plays late push No. 23 Louisville past No. 16 SMU, 41-31

Keyjuan Brown ran for a career-high 163 yards and a pair of long touchdowns on 10 carries to guide No. 23 Louisville to a 41-31 victory over 16th-ranked SMU

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Scores TD in limited action Raphael posted three carries for three yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 56-10 win against UC Davis.

Impact Raphael opened the scoring with a five-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter, but he was not really needed much after that. He and Dramekco Green split the carries at Florida State last week, and in this one, Derrick McFall was given more opportunities with the lopsided score. Expect to see more of Raphael in next week's game at Louisville, so if you have fantasy stock in him, don't give up just yet.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Splits SMU backfield in win Raphael totaled 12 rushes for 75 yards during Monday's 27-24 win versus Florida State.

Impact Raphael also added an 11-yard reception, basically splitting the primary backfield touches with Dramekco Green. Raphael averaged 6.3 yards per carry, to just 3.3 yards per tote for Green, so that likely bodes well going forward for his touch total. Both players should enjoy plenty of success as the Mustangs step out of conference to host FCS UC Davis next Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as co-starter Raphael is listed as a co-starter at running back ahead of Monday's game at Florida State, Lia Assimakopoulos of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Raphael is listed alongside Dramecko Green as the co-starters in the Mustangs' backfield. Raphael is coming off an excellent season with Cal where he gained nearly 1,200 total yards and scored 14 touchdowns, so his inclusion as a starter is not surprising. It will be interesting to see how the carries are split between Raphael and Green as Green only had 25 carries last season as a true freshman.

SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

No. 19 SMU eyes another ACC run as QB Kevin Jennings' final season opens with early road tests

SMU should be a top contender again in the Atlantic Coast Conference in hometown quarterback Kevin Jennings’ final season

AUGUST 17 • Associated Press

Stands out in first day of camp Raphael was a standout performer for SMU on the first day of camp Friday, according to Dean Ralsky of On3.com.

Impact Raphael transferred to SMU in the offseason after a 2025 campaign in which he ran for 944 yards and 13 touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry while also catching 34 passes for 245 yards and one touchdown at California. Raphael seems to be a firm grasp of the RB1 role at SMU, but nonetheless, he looked ready to work and a standout player for the Mustangs in the early stages of camp.

AUGUST 7 • ROTOWIRE

Five Breakout Candidates for SMU Football in 2026 It’s easy to get excited about the established stars of SMU football: Kevin Jennings, Kendrick Raphael, PJ Williams. But each season, player...

JULY 27 • SI.COM

Joins Pony Express Raphael will transfer to SMU, per Chris Hummer of 247Sports.com.

Impact Raphael started his career at NC State, but transferred to California for his junior season and proceeded to have a career year. The tailback ran for 944 yards and 13 touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry, also catching 34 passes for 245 yards and one touchdown. Now, the workhorse back will take his talents to SMU, where he projects as a starter for the Mustangs in 2026.

JANUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to portal Raphael plans to enter the transfer portal, Hayes Fawcett of On3.com reports.

Impact Raphael had a breakout 2025 campaign with Cal, rushing 233 times for 944 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 34 passes for 245 yards and one touchdown. He had spent two seasons at NC State previously. Whichever school lands his services would have a new RB1.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in bowl loss Raphael posted 18 rushes for 91 yards and one touchdown and hauled in 3 of 4 targets for 14 yards during Wednesday's 35-31 loss versus Hawaii.

Impact Raphael found the end zone on a 19-yard run in the second quarter, giving Cal a 14-0 lead at the time. The 5-foot-11 running back led the team in rushing yards on the day, totaling 91 yards on the ground to go along with 14 receiving yards. On the season, Raphael finished with 944 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 34 receptions for 245 yards and a score through the air as well. With one year of eligibility remaining, he will have to wait until next fall to see his next game action.

DECEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Strong end to regular season Raphael accrued 33 carries for 111 yards and one touchdown and hauled in all five targets for 53 yards during Saturday's 38-35 win versus Southern Methodist.

Impact Raphael was the Golden Bears' workhorse this fall, and he closed out the year with yet another strong performance, scoring his 13th touchdown of the season and eclipsing 100 yards rushing for the third time. Raphael, who spent the first two seasons of his career with NC State, had a career year in Berkeley, rushing for 853 yards and 12 touchdowns on 4.0 yards per carry, also reeling in 31 grabs for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He'll have one more season of eligibility remaining, and should he elect to stay with Cal, he should once again be the lead back.

DECEMBER 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No. 25 SMU squanders chance at clinching berth in ACC title game as Cal scores 38-35 win

Kendrick Raphael ran in from 2 yards out with 43 seconds left and California upset No. 25 SMU, 38-35, night to spoil its hopes of making the Atlantic Coast Conference championship...

NOVEMBER 30, 2025 • Associated Press

Largely contained by Cardinal Raphael recorded 15 carries for 47 yards and hauled in 4 of 5 targets for 12 yards during Saturday's 31-10 defeat to Stanford.

Impact Raphael averaged just over 3.0 yards per carry in the Golden Bears' brutal loss to Stanford. The tailback was a major factor in the Golden Bears' offense with 19 touches, but Cal simply couldn't get anything going as it fell to Stanford in a loss that left head coach Justin Wilcox out of a job. Raphael will look to close the season on a high note against SMU.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Over 100 all-purpose yards in win Raphael recorded 19 rushes for 83 yards and one touchdown and hauled in 5 of 7 targets for 37 yards during Saturday's 29-26 overtime victory against Louisville.

Impact Raphael was once again dynamic, and he was also once again a huge focal point with 24 touches in the win over Louisville. The star tailback now has a touchdown in six straight games, and is averaging 22.5 touches per game in that span. Raphael is a legitimate workhorse for the Golden Bears, and that should continue after a bye in Week 12.

NOVEMBER 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hat trick in defeat Raphael notched 13 carries for 46 yards and two touchdowns and hauled in 4 of 5 targets for 66 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 31-21 defeat versus Virginia.

Impact Raphael scored all of California's touchdowns in a loss to Virginia in which the Golden Bears fought valiantly, but didn't have enough firepower to topple the now No. 12-ranked Cavaliers. The tailback was dynamic, however, and with a season-high four catches, he also became an outlet for quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. It was one of Raphael's quietest days on the ground in terms of yardage but also his biggest day through the air. The tailback now has nine total touchdowns in his last four games.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No. 15 Virginia beats California 31-21 for 7th straight win

J’Mari Taylor rushed for two touchdowns and No. 15 Virginia extended its winning streak to seven straight games for the first time since 2007 by beating California 31-21

NOVEMBER 1, 2025 • Associated Press

Hat trick in loss Raphael accrued 20 carries for 71 yards and three touchdowns and hauled in all three targets for 16 yards during Friday's 42-34 overtime loss to Virginia Tech.

Impact Raphael saw 20-plus carries for the second straight game, and it's safe to say he made the most of them. The tailback now has at least one rushing touchdown in four straight games, and with the rest of California's backfield severely banged up, there's no reason to think his hot streak can't continue. The Golden Bears clearly have no qualms about riding their workhorse ball-carrier, and Raphael should continue to reward them.

OCTOBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Kyron Drones leads Virginia Tech over California 42-34 in double OT

Kyron Drones threw a touchdown pass in the second overtime before running for the two-point conversion and Virginia rallied last in a 42-34 victory over California

OCTOBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Solid day in victory Raphael totaled 22 carries for 81 yards and one touchdown and hauled in 2 of 4 targets for 15 yards during Friday's 21-18 victory against North Carolina.

Impact Raphael has now scored a touchdown in three straight games; the tailback appears to be getting hot mid season. Raphael averages just under 22 carries per game in that time frame, and the Golden Bears appear to be leaning on him more and more as the season wears on, which should be music to fantasy managers' ears. Next up, California takes on Virginia Tech and a permeable defense in Week 9.

OCTOBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Brent Austin's goal-line heroics secure California's 21-18 win over Belichick and North Carolina

Brent Austin forces a fumble at the goal line and recovers it in the end zone, securing California's 21-18 victory over North Carolina on Friday night

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Scores twice in loss Raphael logged 18 carries for 67 yards and two touchdowns and reeled in 3 of 4 targets for 25 yards during Saturday's 45-21 defeat versus Duke.

Impact Raphael found the end zone twice for his third and fourth touchdowns of the season, but his effort was futile as the Golden Bears got pummeled by Duke. The tailback remains a workhorse, however, as he's received double-digit touches in every game and averages 15.5 carries per game. No matter the result for California, Raphael figures to be right there in the offensive mix week in and week out.

OCTOBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tops 100 yards in victory Raphael recorded 25 carries for 119 yards and one touchdown and gathered in their only target for three yards during Saturday's 28-24 victory against Boston College.

Impact Raphael notched his second 100-yard outing of the season as California got back on track in a win over Boston College. He saw a season-high 25 carries and also found the end zone for the second time this fall. Raphael's carries have fluctuated pretty significantly this season, but when California makes a concerted effort to get him the ball he's produced. He's risky to trust on a weekly basis, but he's clealy the top back in this backfield at the very least.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Duke opens as slight favorite in late-night ACC matchup at Cal Duke Football travels to California for a late-night ACC matchup with the Golden Bears. The Blue Devils open as 3.5-point favorites after ba...

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 • 247SPORTS.COM

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