Quarterback Kyle Padron transferring from SMU
By Kate Hairopoulos / Reporter
3:23 PM on Sat., Jan. 28, 2012
Quarterback Kyle Padron is transferring from SMU after asking for and receiving his release from the program, according to a source. Padron's father, Larry, confirmed the decision. Padron was out of town Saturday and not immediately available for comment.
Former Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert is enrolling at SMU in June and Padron was expected to compete with Gilbert for playing time this fall.
Padron's career took a turn in 2011 when he was benched after throwing two quick interceptions in the season-opener at Texas A&M, despite being SMU's starter for the previous season and a half.
Padron played sparingly in just three games before suffering a season-ending back injury.
Padron appeared the clear-cut starter entering the season after passing for 3,828 yards and 31 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2010, though he had still struggled with accuracy and consistency in the Run and Shoot.
As a freshman out of Southlake Carroll in 2009, Padron was thrust into action when starter Bo Levi Mitchell was injured midway through the season. Padron didn't relinquish the job when Mitchell recovered. Padron capped the season by being named MVP of the Mustangs' 45-10 win over Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl, going 32-of-41 for 460 yards and two touchdowns.
SMU had planned on Padron using 2011 as a redshirt season so that he would have two years of eligibility remaining.
He started 21 straight games until getting pulled after the season opener last year so unless the kid has grade issues at SMU or was dumped by a girl, he should consider that Gilby may not be the second coming of Don Meredith and conceivably, could win the starting QB position or reclaim it from GG after a game or two.