The football season is over for SMU, but that doesn't mean there isn't news around the Hilltop. Here's what our The HillTopics team has been able to track down so far.
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Entering the new year, two more Mustangs have decided not to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA is allowing seniors.
Linebacker Richard McBryde and kicker Chris Naggar both have agents, according to Higher Calling Sports. McBryde's announcement came from the agency the day before Christmas. Naggar's announcement came on Monday.
McBryde leaves after two seasons at SMU, accounting for 150 tackles (111 solo) and 6.5 sacks in 23 games. He was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection this past season, recording 52 tackles (42 solo), three sacks and two pass deflections. McBryde came to SMU as a graduate transfer from Auburn.
Naggar also came to SMU as a graduate transfer. He spent four years at Texas before coming to the Hilltop and emerging as a major weapong for the Mustangs. Naggar was named the AAC Special Teams Player of the Year, and he was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist after connecting on 17 of 21 field goals as a kicker and also serving as SMU's punter, delivering seven punts of 50 yards or better and eight punts inside the 20-yard line.
McBryde and Naggar join quarterback Shane Buechle, tight end Kylen Granson and cornerback Brandon Stephens as the seniors who have chosen to move on to next-level planning.
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There's a lot of questions about what exactly wide receiver Reggie Roberson Jr.
We all saw the social media post last month that shows Roberson scoring a touchdown with the words "It's Been Real ..." included. We also have heard sources within the SMU system express their thoughts on Roberson staying one more year.
We have two sources very close to the situation, and both have assured that while testing the pro waters is intriguing for the speedy receiver, the idea of staying for one more season is very much in play. No final decision has been made as of yet, and either choice can be made soon.
SMU would love to have a healthy Roberson return, as he showcased what he could do in only four games. He had 22 catches for 474 yards and five touchdowns in that span, and he averaged 118.5 receiving yards per catch. His resume builder came coming against Memphis when he caught five passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns -- in only half a game.
The big question: Will that be enough to sway him to go pro this year? Key words: This year.
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Senior offensive lineman Beau Morris was one of several Mustangs to graduate on Dec. 19. The mainstay at right tackle played 27 games in three seasons for SMU -- including 22 of 23 starts in the last two years -- and he plans on playing a few more in SMU Red and Blue.
Morris announced on social media that he plans on attending graduate school. And with that, Morris is going to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA has allowed seniors because of COVID-19.
Morris was a junior on an SMU offense in 2019 that ranked seventh nationally in scoring (41.8 points per game), ninth nationally in total offense (489.8 yards) and 13th nationally in passing offense (309 yards). While the 2020 season was cut abruptly short for SMU, Morris was a major contributor for an offense that ranked 12th in total offense (494.5 yards), 13th in passing offense (318 yards) and 15th in scoring (38.6 points) in the country.
***
Entering the new year, two more Mustangs have decided not to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA is allowing seniors.
Linebacker Richard McBryde and kicker Chris Naggar both have agents, according to Higher Calling Sports. McBryde's announcement came from the agency the day before Christmas. Naggar's announcement came on Monday.
McBryde leaves after two seasons at SMU, accounting for 150 tackles (111 solo) and 6.5 sacks in 23 games. He was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection this past season, recording 52 tackles (42 solo), three sacks and two pass deflections. McBryde came to SMU as a graduate transfer from Auburn.
Naggar also came to SMU as a graduate transfer. He spent four years at Texas before coming to the Hilltop and emerging as a major weapong for the Mustangs. Naggar was named the AAC Special Teams Player of the Year, and he was a Lou Groza Award semifinalist after connecting on 17 of 21 field goals as a kicker and also serving as SMU's punter, delivering seven punts of 50 yards or better and eight punts inside the 20-yard line.
McBryde and Naggar join quarterback Shane Buechle, tight end Kylen Granson and cornerback Brandon Stephens as the seniors who have chosen to move on to next-level planning.
***
There's a lot of questions about what exactly wide receiver Reggie Roberson Jr.
We all saw the social media post last month that shows Roberson scoring a touchdown with the words "It's Been Real ..." included. We also have heard sources within the SMU system express their thoughts on Roberson staying one more year.
We have two sources very close to the situation, and both have assured that while testing the pro waters is intriguing for the speedy receiver, the idea of staying for one more season is very much in play. No final decision has been made as of yet, and either choice can be made soon.
SMU would love to have a healthy Roberson return, as he showcased what he could do in only four games. He had 22 catches for 474 yards and five touchdowns in that span, and he averaged 118.5 receiving yards per catch. His resume builder came coming against Memphis when he caught five passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns -- in only half a game.
The big question: Will that be enough to sway him to go pro this year? Key words: This year.
***
Senior offensive lineman Beau Morris was one of several Mustangs to graduate on Dec. 19. The mainstay at right tackle played 27 games in three seasons for SMU -- including 22 of 23 starts in the last two years -- and he plans on playing a few more in SMU Red and Blue.
Morris announced on social media that he plans on attending graduate school. And with that, Morris is going to take advantage of the extra year of eligibility the NCAA has allowed seniors because of COVID-19.
Morris was a junior on an SMU offense in 2019 that ranked seventh nationally in scoring (41.8 points per game), ninth nationally in total offense (489.8 yards) and 13th nationally in passing offense (309 yards). While the 2020 season was cut abruptly short for SMU, Morris was a major contributor for an offense that ranked 12th in total offense (494.5 yards), 13th in passing offense (318 yards) and 15th in scoring (38.6 points) in the country.
