Yet another big name has entered the transfer portal ahead of the 2023 college football season.
SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai has entered the transfer portal, as first reported by Chris Hummer of 247 Sports and Matt Zenitz of On3 Sports.
SMU QB Tanner Mordecai has entered the transfer portal, @247SportsPortal has learned. https://t.co/3x2i6CQx7z
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) December 30, 2022
🚨BREAKING🚨 SMU QB Tanner Mordecai has entered the NCAA transfer portal, per @mzenitz.
More: https://t.co/8s9gJS628Z pic.twitter.com/mTe6mA7fgQ
— On3 (@On3sports) December 30, 2022
As Chris Vannini of The Athletic notes, “Tanner Mordecai had said late in the season he was heading to the NFL. Perhaps looking for another school now. Seemed like SMU was preparing for the future either way with Preston Stone and Kevin Henry-Jennings.”
Tanner Mordecai had said late in the season he was heading to the NFL. Perhaps looking for another school now.
Seemed like SMU was preparing for the future either way with Preston Stone and Kevin Henry-Jennings. https://t.co/uK8BLVOm08
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 30, 2022
Mordecai, 23, began his college football career at Oklahoma as a backup to Spencer Rattler (who’s now at South Carolina). After throwing four touchdown passes and one interception over three seasons with the Sooners, Mordecai transferred to SMU. And over two seasons with the Mustangs, Mordecai was extremely productive.
In 2021, Mordecai threw for 39 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, and 3,628 yards for the Mustangs. He followed that up with 33 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, and 3,524 yards with SMU in 2022. He led SMU to an 8-4 record in 2021 and a 7-6 record in 2022.
Mordecai’s 72 passing touchdowns over the last two seasons are fourth-most among all college football quarterbacks, as Pro Football Focus tweets.
SMU QB Tanner Mordecai has entered the transfer portal, per @mzenitz
72 TDs over the past two seasons. Fourth most among all QBs👀 pic.twitter.com/JWsskBQUNM
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 30, 2022
Mordecai had some crazy moments at SMU, like with his Hail Mary touchdown pass to beat Louisiana Tech in 2021 (and to cap off a monster day for Mordecai).
SMU WITH THE HAIL MARY TO BEAT LOUISIANA TECH! 🏈 pic.twitter.com/Q85lLkkBDI
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) September 18, 2021
He also threw for nine touchdowns and ran for another (giving him 10 total) in a record-breaking 77-63 win over Houston in November.
What on earth pic.twitter.com/Q1JGVmaNbD
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 6, 2022
Mordecai will surely draw a ton of interest in the transfer portal, and especially from programs with pass-heavy offenses.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.