SMU junior tight end Mitchell Kaufman has played in 36 games since arriving on campus, but he's played his last football game. The Highland Park native opens up on his ride at SMU as he hangs up the cleats.

Here's his letter as he calls it a career:

Growing up and attending Highland Park (Go Scots), I barely missed a game in Ford Stadium or Moody Coliseum the first 15 years of my life. I was there for the opening game at Ford against Kansas, when the fireworks malfunctioned against Navy, and the day the Mustangs clinched the first bowl bid in my lifetime. My dad even took me over to Shreveport before I could walk for a game against Arkansas, but I’d never “call the Hogs.”

Coming to SMU with the new staff was not easy, no detail was overlooked and the atmosphere was very intense. Days were long and the grind didn’t stop, no matter what time of year. We had a tough road turning a 2-10 team into a winning season. I never wanted to redshirt and was happy to play as a freshman in 2015, but in hindsight I’m not sure any true freshman is really ready to “bust the wedge” on D-1 kickoffs. Three years later, having played in all 36 regular season games and earning three varsity letters, the Tulane game unfortunately turned out to be my last game.

There were many friends and positive role models in my time with the team, but there are three people I’d like to thank. First, Garrett Krstich. Not just a quarterback with an incredible story, but you’ve never met a better guy. Without his help, the “freshman wall” might have been insurmountable. I hope I was able to have even close to the same impact on a “puppy” that Stich had on me. Second, Randy Ross. A guy that never hesitated to help when he could and seemed to truly care about the team and the guys on it. Our conversations on Friday night hotel stays were something I will always appreciate that. Finally, the assistant strength Coach Rhett Brooks. He was, in my opinion, the best motivator, friend, and man in our football program. His guidance helped me to change my body, commit myself to something I believed in, and compete at a high level on the field. For that I am forever grateful and have no doubt he’ll be successful wherever he coaches.

My time at SMU had its hardships, but whose isn’t? Some foot injuries that I played through, a couple of concussions (one too many), and plenty of ups and downs along the way made it challenging. I have plenty of great memories including my first start and a couple receptions down in Waco against Baylor, almost getting into the endzone in a close game at TCU (but regrettably not beating the purple menace), the big win over No. 11 Houston, and dominating North Texas for 3 years running (let’s keep that streak going). I also had the honor of winning the Pony Award in 2017, which was a big goal of mine in the offseason last year.

I hope I made my family and the SMU community proud the past few years. It’s been fun to have SMU fans recognize me around town and say hello. My experience here was something most people never get, and for that I feel truly blessed. I will graduate from the Cox School of Business in the spring. I am extremely proud to be a Mustang and hope to represent our brand in the best way possible moving forward. It’s going to be a little strange to be back up in the stands again this coming fall as the Ponies take the field. Thank you for an experience I will never forget, and Pony Up!

-Mitchell Kaufman

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