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SMU football looking to build off successful 2021 offseason

By Andrew Tineo

Oct 24, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Sam Westfall (6) is congratulated by the fans following SMU's 34-31 win against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Sam Westfall (6) is congratulated by the fans following SMU's 34-31 win against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2020; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Ulysses Bentley IV (26) rushes the ball during the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Tulsa won 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2020; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Ulysses Bentley IV (26) rushes the ball during the game against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Tulsa won 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

Goodbye, Shane Buechele

The talk starts with Shane Buechele ending his career with the Mustangs and being the catalyst behind the rebound of the program. His successor is fellow former Big 12 quarterback Tanner Mordecai.

The former Oklahoma Sooner has been patient, sitting behind Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, and Spencer Rattler. On top of being a fourth-year sophomore, Mordecai is capable and ready to take the keys of being the quarterback of the Mustangs. He passed for 639 yards and four touchdowns in limited playing time in Norman.

Mordecai has prototypical quarterback size at 6-foot-2 and is comfortable when in the pocket. He hasn’t started a game since 2017 when he was leading Midway High School in Waco to a state title.

What isn’t unknown is the running back situation after an absurd freshman season from Ulysses  Bentley IV who rushed for 913 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2020. Bentley IV’s shiftiness and elusiveness are key traits and he should be the best running back in the AAC in 2021. Expect him to create some Doak Walker talk, with the amount of explosion he brings.

The Mustangs also have the best receiving corps in the conference, headlined by senior Reggie Roberson. Formerly from West Virginia, Roberson has legitimate speed and the ability to separate at just 6-foot-0. The hope is for Roberson to be 100 percent next season after sustaining a knee injury that cost him half of the 2020 campaign.

Sophomore Rashee Rice was the leading receiver last year at 683 yards and five touchdowns and Danny Gray has fit well into the system in his first year starting in 2020.

Quite possibly the most impactful player from the Mustangs came in the form of fellow Oklahoma transfer, tight end Grant Calcaterra. He was with the Sooners from 2017-19, racking up 637 yards and nine touchdowns as the Sooners’ go-to tight end.

The dilemma with Calcaterra was consistently being on the field. Despite being a starter for three years, he only played the full season once. With being off during the 2020 season and the fresh start, Calcaterra is gearing up for a huge season in Dallas, being a threat in the offense.

The Mustangs bring back their entire offensive line, headlined by junior left tackle Jaylon Thomas. Another notable player to keep an eye on is redshirt freshman Justin Osbourne.

Osbourne was a starter last year as a true freshman and with more weight and conditioning, he should be a building block for the future.

Regardless of Mordecai being new to the offense, the weapons he has around him are arguably the best in the AAC.

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