Greg McElroy: SMU transfer success will increase with Pac-12 move

In the new era of conference realignment, one team is waiting in the balance to move up to the Power Five level. SMU is currently in the AAC but has flirted with the Pac-12, potentially joining the new-look conference in the post-USC and UCLA era. Nothing has been made official but meetings between the two parties have occurred as Billy Embody of On3’s On The Pony Express has reported.

Even before a potential Pac-12 move, SMU has been one of the winners of the NCAA transfer portal. Rhett Lashlee has been aggressive during his two offseasons in the Park Cities, bringing in 26 new players ahead of 2023.

NIL has played a huge factor, as has giving North Texas players the opportunity to return home. ESPN’s Greg McElroy argues the appeal will only get stronger for SMU if the Pac-12 move becomes official.

“SMU has deep pockets,” McElroy said. “We know that. Their NIL is tremendous… I think they’re going to continue to be a destination for a lot of players that are on their next school. You’re from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, maybe you go away for school.

“You don’t like being away, you want to come back home. Well, SMU is a place you can make a lot of money with NIL and compete in an offense that is really fun to be a part of.”

Jordan Hudson transferring to SMU potential sign of the times

Sure, 26 transfers are coming to the Hilltop but one stands out more than the other. Wide receiver Jordan Hudson is the best pull of the cycle for Lashlee for multiple reasons. Not only is Hudson a highly-thought of player with some production last season but he also comes from crosstown rival TCU.

“He was buried underneath a veteran group,” McElroy said. “Still, he had some impact. 14 receptions, 147 yards, three touchdowns. Was one of the top 100 players coming out a couple of years ago nationally. Decided on TCU and now a place he was previously committed. Now he’s going back to play for the Ponies.”

Hudson played high school football at Garland (TX) High School, where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 70 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Rarely is SMU able to win out for those type of recruits when they are coming out of high school. Lashlee has done a great job attracting them back to Dallas once in the portal. Having a conference such as the Pac-12 attached to your name will make the pitch even easier.

“Something to keep an eye on there,” McElroy said. “Maybe this addition in Jordan Hudson is a sign of things to come for the Ponies as they continue to move forward.”