Tanner Mordecai named starting QB for SMU, Preston Stone to play
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee announced on Friday that Tanner Mordecai won the starting quarterback job and will get the first snap against North Texas. Redshirt freshman Preston Stone will see action though as the Mustangs play out the 2022 season.
“We’ve decided to go ahead and that Tanner is going to be our starter and Preston will play,” Lashlee said after practice. “We’re three weeks away from playing tomorrow and we feel like that’s just the best thing for our team and for those guys to give them and us the best chance to be ready to go in three weeks.
“It’s been a good unifying moment for our team and like I told them yesterday, Tanner’s earned that opportunity. I think the guys believe in him. Preston’s earned the opportunity to play.”
Tanner Mordecai had a strong statistical 2021 season for SMU in his first year as the starting quarterback while Preston Stone saw limited action.
Mordecai set a school record for touchdown passes while Stone played much less than just about anyone thought he would after inking with the Mustangs as an elite recruit.
“I was a captain last year, started and did some good things,” Mordecai said this week. “Most of the guys were here, most of the young guys that are starting to step up were here. Through the spring, keep building on what I’ve done and trying to work (towards) a championship is all I’ve been focused on. I feel great. I feel good with the guys and great with the coaching staff.”
Tanner Mordecai and Preston Stone show impressive maturity, leadership
Lashlee praised both Tanner Mordecai and Preston Stone for how they’ve handled the competition.
“I’m really proud of how Tanner and Preston have handled the entire process starting from spring, summer and then the first week plus of fall camp,” Lashlee said. “In our sport, it’s probably the hardest thing to do is be in a QB room competing with someone who’s a team member for an opportunity and that’s gone bad a lot of places. The health of our QB room bleeds over to your offense and your team. I think the way they’ve handled it said a lot about them and why our team feels like a close group.”
“They’re two extreme competitors. It doesn’t matter if they’re with the 1s or 2s, you could throw them out there with the 3s and they’re trying to win everything they do,” SMU quarterbacks coach Johnny Brewer added this week. “That’s what I appreciate with them. It doesn’t matter who we throw them in with, they’re going and they’re cheering for the other guy. That’s the biggest thing that I’ve seen, they get excited for each other.”
Stone said he’d handle it with maturity that no matter what.
“I’m a football player on this team, so regardless if I’m in the game or not it’s going to be about, how can I be the best teammate? How can I help my team the best I can to help us go win a championship?” the SMU legacy said.
Once again, it’s Mordecai’s job, but both players have eyes on helping the Mustangs to a championship. That could be the ultimate sign of growth from last year’s situation.
