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SMU running back Velton Gardner enters NCAA Transfer Portal

Wade-Peeryby:Wade Peery•07/05/24

SMU running back Velton Gardner officially entered the transfer portal on Friday afternoon, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. He’s rushed for 1,024 total yards and six touchdowns in his career. His best year came in 2023. Gardner jumped back in the portal five months after announcing his plan to enter.

He will have one year of eligibility wherever he ends up. The Dallas (Tex.) Skyline product transferred into SMU from Kansas before the 2022 season. He played in 18 games for the Mustangs with one start.

After rushing 70 times for 368 yards and a score in 2022, he had 23 attempts for 137 yards and a touchdown in 2023.

At Kansas, Gardner started hot with 10 games and a start as a freshman in 2019. He had his best season with the Jayhawks in 2020 with 325 yards on 72 attempts before starting the first three games of 2021 then redshirting.

SMU had a great season in 2023-2024, finishing with a 11-3 overall record. Preston Stone has established himself as one of the more dynamic quarterbacks in college football. He threw for over 3,000 yards last year for the Mustangs, while tossing in 28 touchdowns with six interceptions.

And SMU running back Jaylan Knighton finally had the breakout year that many expected of him when he was with the Miami Hurricanes. He finished with 760 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Gardner was the No. 8 overall athlete in the country and the No. 105 overall prospect in Texas.

As a senior, he threw for 2,459 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also had a team-leading 842 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Gardner was also named the offensive MVP of the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl. As a junior, he tallied up over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns as a junior.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

On3’s Billy Embody also contributed to this article.