Transfer linebacker lands at SMU

[PonyPride]

Several new faces appeared at practice this week, as the team added a handful of new walk-ons.

Among the new players is middle linebacker Justin Padron, a transfer from North Texas who played in high school with current Mustangs Mitch Enright and Pete Fleps. Padron said he measured in at 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds upon his arrival at SMU, where he will have to sit out the 2008 season per NCAA transfer rules.

Padron followed his high school coach, Todd Dodge, to North Texas following his graduation from Carroll High School in Southlake and sat out the 2007 season as a redshirt, but said the school just wasn't an ideal fit for him. Leaving Dodge, though, made the decision difficult.

"It's kind of weird telling your high school coach you're not going to play for him anymore, that you're leaving before you're done," Padron said. "My decision had nothing to do with Coach Dodge. He is a great coach, and I think he's going to do some great things at North Texas."

Padron said that after he got his release from UNT, he called Fleps and Enright, and the Mustangs' center and linebacker raved about the SMU education, coaches and facilities.

"They love it here," he said. "They told me how much they enjoy it, and they told me it's a great place, that I'd love it here. It seemed like the best fit."

Padron said he has no illusions about starting right away when his redshirt comes off in 2009.

"They have some really talented linebackers here," he said. "When I get a chance, I'll have to earn anything I get. I'll have to compete, just like everyone else."

[RGV Pony]

I thought I read where Padron was no longer going to play because of health-related issues. Do I have him confused with someone else?

[SmooBoy]

Welcome Justin. You chose wisely the 2nd time around. Best of luck!

[SMU 86]

I think the chance to play with his brother Kyle may have also weighed in the decision.

[PonyPride]

I thought I read where Padron was no longer going to play because of health-related issues. Do I have him confused with someone else?

I don't know what you read, but I don't think you have him confused. He said his health is better now.

[expony18]

take that ntsu

[SMU2007]

yea so is this the brother of the qb from southlake that's coming next year?

[ALEX LIFESON]

What a shock, he turned down a free ride at nts, to walk-on at SMU?

[Stallion]

he definitely had some health issues-at one point he had decided to transfer to A&M as a regular student because of reported health issues. He is supposed to be pretty fast for a LB.

[Stallion]

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/s ... b8fb9.html

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent ... 13c4b.html

[Peruna_Ate_My_Rolex]

Yesterday, I just happened to be talking with a friend of mine whose little brother played at Carroll and she had made mention that Justin had transferred to SMU. I had figured he was just coming here to finish his studies out but I guess not.

[ebrooks11]

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncf/recruiting/tracker/player?recruitId=41428&season=2007&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncf%2frecruiting%2ftracker%2fplayer%3frecruitId%3d41428%26season%3d2007

[MrMustang1965]

Will this thread fall under overcusser's 'obsession with all things NTSU' mantra?

Congratulations, J-Pad! Looking forward to seeing you in a Mustangs uni in 2009!

[Pony Soup]

Welcome!!

[65Mustang]

I thought I read where Padron was no longer going to play because of health-related issues. Do I have him confused with someone else?

I don't know what you read, but I don't think you have him confused. He said his health is better now.

Is there a doctor in the house?? I didn't think Type I brittle diabetics got "better". We need to watch this boy, he has a committment problem.