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Sources reported that Marcus has entered the transfer portal - a big loss

Can you say... NIL bidding. Kind of sad but this w ill be remembered when it comes time for after football employment.

Just sayin.

lots of holes to fill on both O and D. let's hope RL is really successful in the next open portal. if not, it could be a long long season.

This has the aroma of tampering.

Transfer portal has become college football's "free agency". With Savion coming in I can't blame him for testing the market. If he leaves he could be tough to replace but there are still some big guys in the portal who haven't decided on their next stop.

Bryant announced it on Twitter

Charleston Pony wrote:Transfer portal has become college football's "free agency". With Savion coming in I can't blame him for testing the market. If he leaves he could be tough to replace but there are still some big guys in the portal who haven't decided on their next stop.

They play different positions - Marcus play LT & Savion players RT

Byrd also played left guard at OU. I'm told he'll get a look at multiple positions. It seems reasonable to assume that will include one or both tackle spots.

This is the new era. Marcus gave us a solid 4 years and graduated. Now he can build on that success and cash in as much as possible as essentially a 1-year rental before trying to make it in the NFL. I don't like that he is leaving, but don't blame him either. As long as the NIL continues to be the wild, wild west, we'll lose players like this and also bring in players like this. Just the new reality. I wish him all the best.

malachi896 wrote:This is the new era. Marcus gave us a solid 4 years and graduated. Now he can build on that success and cash in as much as possible as essentially a 1-year rental before trying to make it in the NFL. I don't like that he is leaving, but don't blame him either. As long as the NIL continues to be the wild, wild west, we'll lose players like this and also bring in players like this. Just the new reality. I wish him all the best.

Or SMU could be the highest bidder for his services? Not every player who enters the portal leaves

Charleston Pony wrote:

malachi896 wrote:This is the new era. Marcus gave us a solid 4 years and graduated. Now he can build on that success and cash in as much as possible as essentially a 1-year rental before trying to make it in the NFL. I don't like that he is leaving, but don't blame him either. As long as the NIL continues to be the wild, wild west, we'll lose players like this and also bring in players like this. Just the new reality. I wish him all the best.

Or SMU could be the highest bidder for his services? Not every player who enters the portal leaves

This could very well be the case. It is akin to a an NFL player demanding a trade or holding out of camp. He could be trying to get more from SMU.

The other possibility is that he wants to transfer and play for Michigan or someone similar for a shot at a national title.

I feel it is probably about the money and hopefully SMU can step up and keep him.

malachi896 wrote:This is the new era. Marcus gave us a solid 4 years and graduated. Now he can build on that success and cash in as much as possible as essentially a 1-year rental before trying to make it in the NFL. I don't like that he is leaving, but don't blame him either. As long as the NIL continues to be the wild, wild west, we'll lose players like this and also bring in players like this. Just the new reality. I wish him all the best.

Agree. Always disappointing when/if we lose a good player. But in this environment its going to happen to every program.

If a player of Marcus Bryant's caliber finds out what the incoming NIL players are getting and justifiably wants to get more for his grad year of playing, I am guessing he (or his family) would be pretty vocal about it.

How much re-negotiating does a coaching staff want to do each year with current players is the real question.

This is where that new General Manager position likely come into play. Keep the negotiations away from the head coach as that could really impact relationships that need to be strong in-season.

Glad to see that SMU is being proactive on this General Manger role as it really is needed when it comes to this whole new NIL world.

Saw one "article" about where the top remaining transfer portal guys will end up, and it had Branson Hickman going to TCU and Marcus Bryant headed to Alabama.

Thanks to both for their years at SMU. But for the love of everything holy, don't go to Frogtown.