For the first time since making its College Football Playoff debut, the SMU football team was back on the field Tuesday for the start of spring practices.

It was the first of 14 practices that will conclude with a practice open to fans, in lieu of a spring game. 

"Just an exciting spring ahead," SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said after Day 1. "We're condensing it from what we've done in the past a little bit. Starting (Tuesday), we'll finish April 25, that's a Friday evening. We will not have a spring game, have not planned to have that … but we're going to get 14 good practices in. I thought (Tuesday) in helmets was as good as you could ask for. Excited to get some shoulder pads on (Wednesday)."

While the Mustangs are coming off another 11-win season, an undefeated run through the ACC and appearances in both the conference championship game and the playoffs, this is a different team. 

Much of that comes from another strong transfer class, which is almost completely on campus for the spring. While some of the football questions remain unanswered, the culture is in a good place following the winter workouts.

"They've done a nice job of coming in and trying to mesh with the team that's here and become just part of the guys and go to work," Lashlee said. "If you do that, usually over time your ability starts to show and you find your place on the team and you can really open up. I think they've done a nice job of that."

One piece that is the same is quarterback Kevin Jennings who returns after starting the final 11 games of the season. He now has 13 starts over two seasons, four of them coming in the postseason.

But this is the first time he comes into a season as the starter. That has almost pushed Jennings more than when he was competing for the job.

"I feel like I'm putting in more work since I'm the starter right now," Jenning said. "Got to get with the receivers and get some extra work in at least twice a week. I think that's the key aspect, to get some time with your receivers on your own, build chemistry and stuff like that I think is playing a big factor and showed (Tuesday) at practice."

Not only did Jennings add around 12 pounds during the eight weeks in the weight room with strength and conditioning coach Shawn Griswold and his staff, he also took on an even bigger leadership role.

"He's the same old Kevin which is great, we want him to stay Kevin, which he will," Lashlee said. "But, yeah, I think it's different when you go into a spring or a season and you're battling for something or you're unsure. When you come in and you know, 'I'm the unquestioned starter and leader of the team,' it allows you to, maybe, carry that responsibility differently. In those eight weeks, in the winter program, I talked about the accountability of all the guys, there was no question who was the leader for us and it's him."

In the four phases of the offseason — winter workouts, spring practices, summer workouts and fall camp — the Mustangs have just started Phase 2. It's a unique phase that isn't necessarily result based.

"This is the boring time of the year, kind of, in some regard," Lashlee said. "But it's incredibly important because that's the foundation that our individuals and team will be based on. Fundamentals, creating the habits we want to create and the identity of our offense and defense."

The team is still finding the identity it will take into Saturdays this fall, but one thing is for sure — it will go to work. That's what Tuesday was, a work day. Now the pads will go on, the competition will increase and the personalities will come out.

"it wasn't overly energetic where it was hype and fake. From that standpoint, that's good. Every team develops their own personality," Lashlee said. "... So far it was just kind of a business-like day. I didn't think it was flat by any means, especially for a day in helmets. It will be good to get pads on (Wednesday), just so it's a little more realistic football, but I thought it was a solid first day."

But one thing is key, to have all pieces pulling in the same direction. That's what has made the Mustangs so successful over the last two seasons. It is what the team discussed on Day 1, and will take into the rest of the spring and the offseason and then the season.

"We talked about it (Tuesday), the family aspect," Jennings said. "Everybody's got to come along. I think we had 30 guys leave, seniors and all of that, so just gelling together and being more of a family and building chemistry with each other. I think that will take it a long way, guys getting along and willing to play for their brothers. That's what the team had last year."