Jordan Hudson, Chace Biddle, Savion Red all decommit from SMU

Jordan Hudson and Chance Biddle make up one of the most talented duos in high school football.

The four-star teammates from Garland, Texas, were planning to taking their talents next year to SMU.

But with news circulating that head coach Sonny Dykes is close to leaving the program, the two friends decommitted Wednesday from the Mustangs, announcing their decisions on Twitter almost simultaneously.

And just a few minutes later, Grand Prairie (Texas) three-star running back Savion Red and 2023 Mesquite (Texas) North Mesquite four-star wide receiver Cordale Russell decommitted followed suit.

Richland (Texas) North Richland Hills three-star wide receiver C.J. Nelson later decommitted as well.

The decommits saw the Mustangs recruiting class drop from No. 43 in the country to No. 65 in the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Ranking.

“After a lengthy discussion with my family, we’ve decided that it’s in my best interest to (decommit) from SMU,” Hudson said. “I definitely would like to thank the amazing staff and Pony Nation for the tremendous support throughout this process.”

🔓THANK YOU SMU…recruitment back open🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/QtlUZTAf48

— Jordan Hudson🐺 (@d1Jordan3) November 24, 2021

The On3 Consensus – a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies – has Hudson as the No. 104 overall player and Biddle as the No. 159 prospect in the nation.

This is the second decommitment for Hudson, who was committed to Oklahoma for about 11 months from July 2020 to June 2021. He is highly rated by On3, which grades him as the No. 26 player in the country and third-best wide receiver.

Russell is the No. 220 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus.

“First off I wanna thank the SMU coaching staff for giving the opportunity to play at the collegiate level but after further consideration and a long talk with my family it’s in my best interest to decommit from SMU,” Biddle said. “I will always have love for the SMU family and I wish nothing but the best to the players and fans.”

Respect my decision 🖤 pic.twitter.com/mspnsKYpK6

— Chace Biddle 🙏🏿 (@d1chace) November 24, 2021

Potential coaching changes likely led to decommitments from Jordan Hudson and Co.

Rumors have been swirling recently about Dykes leaving SMU for one of the many openings across college football. The son of former Texas Tech head coach Spike Dykes, Sonny Dykes was considered an early frontrunner for the Red Raiders job.

But after Joey McGuire was hired, his name began to be mentioned for the opening at SMU’s cross-metroplex rival TCU.

The Mustangs had hoped that they would be able to ink Dykes to a long-term contract extension to make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the Group of Five.

Dykes didn’t talk about the potential of leaving Dallas for Fort Worth during a press conference earlier this week but did say he talked with his players about the news.

If Dykes leaves — which is looking more and more likely by the day — assistant head coach Ra’Shaad Samples is likely on the move as well. One Big 12 assistant coach told On3’s Jeremy Crabtree this year that Samples is the “fastest-rising star in the recruiting world.”

He was a major reason for SMU getting players like Hudson to commit in the first place. Whetre Dykes coaches next season is a favorite landing spot for all today’s decommitments. If Samples follows him, that likelihood becomes close to a lock.