New Wisconsin quarterback; Tanner Mordecai transferring from SMU

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ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Tanner Mordecai #8 of the SMU Mustangs drops back to pass against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half of the New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Albuquerque, New

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MADISON, Wis. - Quarterback Tanner Mordecai announced on social media Friday that he is transferring from SMU to Wisconsin.

Mordecai tweeted the news two weeks after playing in SMU’s 24-23 New Mexico Bowl loss to BYU. Mordecai threw his school-record 72nd career touchdown pass for SMU in that game.

"I could not be more fired up to play at a school with rich history and a winning culture," Mordecai said. "Let’s ride!"

Mordecai also thanked SMU’s faculty, staff and program. He said: "I have made relationships that I will cherish and carry for the rest of my life."

After spending 2018-20 as a reserve quarterback for Oklahoma, Mordecai transferred to SMU and was the Mustangs’ starter the last two seasons.

He threw for 3,628 yards with a school-record 39 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2021. Mordecai followed that by passing for 3,524 yards with 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. He also had two touchdown runs each of the last two seasons.

New Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell is bringing in Phil Longo from North Carolina as offensive coordinator, though that hire hasn’t officially been announced. Longo helped former North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell and current Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye put up huge numbers the last few seasons.

Mordecai is the second quarterback to announce plans to transfer to Wisconsin since Fickell’s arrival. Former Oklahoma quarterback Nick Evers tweeted two weeks ago that he had committed to Wisconsin.

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Graham Mertz, Wisconsin’s starting quarterback the last three seasons, entered the transfer portal in early December and plans to play for Florida next season.