Bentley

[Charleston Pony]

Could it be because Camar Wheaton’s coming to town?

If Bentley leaves, we sure hope that's the case. Another guy coming home? If both are here next season, SMU has a really potent running game to take some pressure off our QBs

[BUS]

Does not sound smart to leave home.

[Charleston Pony]

Does not sound smart to leave home.

In Camar's case, let's hope he's coming home. In Ulysses' case, he is from Houston so who knows if he might want to head back home? He was offered by Houston coming out of H.S. and UTSA also offered him. If he leaves, he's going to have options after what he's shown at SMU.

[birddogger]

A player could enter the transfer portal for a variety of reasons: lack of playing time, post-grad goals, coaching changes, longing for home, or money. In UBIV’s case, the only apparent impetus is the coaching change or money.

This isn’t aimed at UBIV at all, but NIL and the portal raises a host of issues that affect the ability to retain players. These are the wild west days of recruiting. Tampering will reach new heights as high-profile players can be coaxed into the portal with promises of NIL dollars.

We may be better positioned to keep our players than most non-P5 schools (and perhaps even several P5s) but powerhouse schools or those like A&M, whose alums would willingly shell out millions to buy a championship, will be able to purchase just about any player they want. Even our pals in Ft. Worth have suffered losses as big money lures many of their better players away.

UBIV has been a great asset here and has developed into an explosive and exciting RB. I hope we keep him. But if he transfers, his destination will clarify why he left for a “better” opportunity.

[Webmaster]

Here's the link to the DMN article on the situation. Not much new information being reported, but the fact that it is still being reported lends some credence to the rumor, I suppose.

https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/smu-m ... er-portal/

"Without Bentley, SMU still returns a lot of production. Seniors Tre Siggers and Tyler Lavine returned for another season. Brandon Epton Jr. showed a lot of promise during his true freshman season a year ago, and T.J. McDonald returned to practice this spring for the first time since the 2020 season."

McDonald. Really Hoyt?

[Charleston Pony]

High hopes for that McDonald kid!

[Charleston Pony]

make it official:

https://247sports.com/Season/2022-Footb ... ferPortal/

[shadowman]

Have to figure this was NIL related. Some higher profile team in desperate need of a running back "recruited" him. He needs to hurry up and announce where he is going so we can know who to be mad at and accuse of shady dealings!

[Charleston Pony]

Most college athletes appreciate the opportunity to play the game they love, have their education paid for and to also get a stipend that provides a little spending money, but "difference makers" realize that NCAA D-I football and basketball is big business so it's hard for me to fault a kid for taking what he can get while he can get it.

We can speculate all day long but unless you are an "insider" or know Ulysses, we don't know if this is about money and NIL opportunities, the change in coaching staff or is being "recruited over"...or something else. Looking back, I would guess most of us really enjoyed our time in college and I've always wished that for all the guys who have played and contributed to our success here at SMU. If Bentley will be happier somewhere else, I just hope he finds that place and I will always appreciate some of the highlights he provided us with.

Would love to see him stay and be a part of the RB group here, but now that he is in the portal, you know he's going to have plenty of options.

[smubrooks]

I assume he knows that we’re getting Camar. As long as he doesn’t go to tcu I wish him all the best.

[SoCal_Pony]

IF this was money driven, and i have no idea if it was or not, i don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing, in fact, I’d kinda like to see some of our other bigger names leave us as well for greener $$ pastures.

SMU needs a punch in the face.

[82Pony]

SMU needs a punch in the face.

Really? He had already signed an NIL deal with SMU. Don't think this is about the money.

[horsemanx]

IF this was money driven, and i have no idea if it was or not, i don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing, in fact, I’d kinda like to see some of our other bigger names leave us as well for greener $$ pastures.

SMU needs a punch in the face.

I agree. A 2-10 season would really shake things up on The Hilltop!!!

[EastStang]

SMU needs a punch in the face.

Really? He had already signed an NIL deal with SMU. Don't think this is about the money.

I guess we got outbid???

[Pony ^]

SMU needs a punch in the face.

Really? He had already signed an NIL deal with SMU. Don't think this is about the money.

I guess we got outbid???

How is that not about money. It's ALL about money and free agency