1Oct 5, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs quarterback Tanner Mordecai (8) warms up before a game against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
College FootballNCAABy Matt Clapp on

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.

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.”

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.

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).

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.

Mordecai will surely draw a ton of interest in the transfer portal, and especially from programs with pass-heavy offenses.

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About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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