Ulysses Bentley to transfer from SMU after three seasons
SMU running back Ulysses Bentley IV is transferring from the program, sources told On The Pony Express on Friday. The news became official from the Houston native on Monday night when Bentley announced it on Instagram.
Ulysses Bentley was SMU’s second-leading rusher in 2021, amassing 610 yards and four scores on 96 carries. Bentley battled an ankle injury sustained against TCU and then another suffered against Houston on a long run.
When healthy, Bentley’s been one of the most explosive backs in the AAC. Against TCU last year, he racked up 153 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
the Second Team All-AAC selection is believed to be targeting a move to the SEC for his final seasons at the college level. He’ll have three years of eligibility remaining. TCU doesn’t appear to be a destination for him while Ole Miss is a program he’s rumored to be looking at.
This spring, Ulysses Bentley worked on improving his pass protection and turning the ball up field. SMU started practice last Friday and wrapped up its fifth spring practice on Thursday.
“Just getting with pass pro, working protection and working on my stretches,” Bentley told On The Pony Express on Thursday of the emphasis for him this spring. “Getting up the field instead of just always hitting outside. Always emphasizing that.”
For his career at SMU, he churned out 1,559 yards and 15 touchdowns on 273 carries. He also added 294 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 41 touches.
Ulysses Bentley leaving crowded SMU RB room
Bentley was working with a crowded SMU running backs room and running with the second team during spring practices so far. Running backs coach Khenon Hall worked with NFL standout James Robinson, but going into spring he was energized for the move to his hometown.
“Well, I’m very excited,” Hall said. “You know, having James for three years and him being you know, back to back First Team All-American and obviously being the starting running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, it was great. But coming here and having a guy like Ulysses Bentley and Brendan Epton and you have TJ McDaniel and then you got Tre Siggers and then you got Lavine.
“You have a full room, but a lot of guys that do a lot of different things and they do it really well. I think that’s a really good bunch that will help us win lot football games.”
According to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Bentley ranked as a three-star prospect coming out of C.E. King in 2019. He ranked as the No. 121 overall running back and No. 186 prospect in Texas.
