The NCAA Transfer Portal got a big boost when SMU QB Tanner Mordecai entered on Thursday, December 29. Those programs in need of a quarterback certainly came calling to the big-armed signal-caller, but their hope was short-lived.
Tanner Mordecai Transfers to Wisconsin
A day after entering the transfer portal, Mordecai made it official and announced his commitment to the Wisconsin Badgers on Friday. Mordecai’s commitment to Wisconsin gives new offensive coordinator Phil Longo a dependable, veteran quarterback after the Badgers lost Graham Mertz to the portal earlier this offseason.
Mordecai heads to Wisconsin after two stellar seasons at SMU, finishing with 3,500 yards in each of the past two years with the Mustangs. After three years of battling through transfer quarterbacks at Oklahoma, Mordecai’s success at SMU was nothing short of spectacular.
He completed over 65% of his passes each year as the starter for SMU and finished his two-year stint in Dallas with 74 passing touchdowns.
MORE: CFN NCAA Transfer Portal Tracker
You can’t help but see a bit of Baker Mayfield in Mordecai’s game, and the Longo system that Wisconsin will employ this year could suit his skill set in a manner we haven’t seen in some time. Mordecai ran for 302 yards and four touchdowns over the past two seasons at SMU, and his legs will be a staple of his production within Longo’s system.
Also, Mordecai’s ability to read the field and hit deep shots down the sideline will be a staple in the Longo offense. Mordecai has shown the ability to stand tall in the pocket and deliver progressive-read throws at ease and has plenty of arm strength to make accurate throws to every level.
With the Wisconsin offensive line blocking for him and the Air Raid principles Longo employs, the sky may be the limit for the new Badgers quarterback.
Mordecai Quick Facts
- Class: Senior
- Height: 6’3″
- Weight: 214
- Hometown: Waco, TX
- Career passing yards: 7,791
- Career passing touchdowns: 76
- Career interceptions: 23
- Career completion percentage: 66.8%
