After 29 starts over four seasons in the trenches for the SMU Mustangs, OT Marcus Bryant has entered the transfer portal. A 2023 All-American Athletic Conference First Team selection (and CFN preseason All-ACC first teamer), the 6’8″, 318-pounder from Round Rock, Texas, will have one-year remaining eligibility.
Bryant likely wants to capitalize on his breakout season by playing his final year of eligibility for a team that will provide a bigger platform for NFL scouts. There’s no doubt he’ll have plenty of suitors for his services.
Landing Spots for Marcus Bryant
SMU won the AAC Championship last season, finishing with an 11-3 record, the most wins for the Mustangs since 1982 (11-0-1) and the second most in program history (12-1 in 1935).
That is an incredible leap for Rhett Lashlee in his second season at the helm, but he’s losing three offensive linemen in the portal, including two All-ACC selections with Branson Hickman (second team) and now Bryant. Freshman OL Jacob Waller committed to Tulsa after appearing in five games last year.
Bryant was a freshman in the 2020 COVID class, so he has an extra year of eligibility despite starting at least one game each season. In the past, a player like Bryant might have declared for the NFL Draft, but he has a chance to move up team’s draft boards while potentially pocketing extra cash from NIL.
Considering SMU’s success in what is considered a top Group of Five conference and their move to the ACC this fall, Bryant is probably searching for a top-tier Power Five program to prove he can handle tougher competition. Let’s look at the best transfer portal landing spots for the talented OT.
Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are looking to elevate their offensive line after a 7-5 campaign last year. They have three coming in from the transfer portal, but with three others leaving, there could be room for Bryant.
Texas Tech just hired Clay McGuire to coach the offensive line — a former Washington State and USC OL coach who has developed a number of offensive linemen drafted to the NFL, including Andre Dillard and Cole Madison. Bryant would be primed for the next level in Lubbock.
TCU
Just down the street from SMU, Bryant is more than familiar with the Horned Frogs. He played in his fourth Iron Skillet Bowl last season, the 102nd meeting between the two schools, with TCU winning 34-17. To say the least, the two programs are rivals.
Bryant was recruited by TCU head coach Sonny Dykes in his first two seasons when Dykes coached SMU (2018-2021). He wouldn’t have to go far (35 miles), and he’d be reunited with his former coach. Not to mention, TCU had five OL seniors graduate and only three linemen committed from the portal.
Arizona State
The Arizona State Sun Devils coach, Kenny Dillingham, is the youngest head coach in the country (33), even after his first year on the job. That season didn’t go great (3-9), so Dillingham is looking to revamp his offensive line.
He’s already secured four transfer commitments on the offensive front, but he still has room for a player of Bryant’s caliber. Bryant would have to move states, but he was lightly recruited by ASU out of high school under former coach Herm Edwards.
Houston
The Cougars have a large transfer portal class with 17 players committed, including three offensive linemen. New head coach Willie Fritz is set on revamping Houston’s line and could add another valuable piece with Bryant.
Bryant would stay in-state and could be part of the Cougars’ Power Five era in the Big 12. While he hasn’t reported any offers, Houston is likely to be one of several Big 12 programs trying to secure his services.
Baylor
Baylor Bears head coach Dave Aranda has a 2021 Big 12 Championship, but with a 23-24 record after four seasons, he has a lot to prove this year. He moved to fix the line by hiring OL coach Chris Kapilovic in December, but Kapilovic just accepted another OL coach position with Alabama.
KEEP READING: College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
Given that Baylor graduated a senior starter on the o-line in Gavin Byers, lost three other offensive linemen in the transfer portal, and is likely to lose others after the sudden coach switch, Baylor might need a player of Bryant’s talents.
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