Benched after back-to-back interceptions in SMU’s season opener, Kyle Padron didn’t start another game for the Mustangs the rest of the 2011 season.
As it turns out, the quarterback won’t start a game for SMU in 2012 either.
According to the Scout.com website PonyStampede.com, Padron has asked for, and been granted a release from, his SMU scholarship. Padron and his father confirmed the development via their Twitter accounts.
The school has yet to comment on Padron’s status.
Beginning two-thirds of the way into his freshman season in 2009, Padron had started 21 straight games, including all 14 in 2010. After the turnover-laden performance in the season-opening loss to Texas A&M, however, Padron played sparingly the rest the season behind J.J. McDermott, and did not attempt a pass after the third game of the year.
If Padron had stayed, he would’ve been competing with Garrett Gilbert, who transferred to SMU from Texas during the season last year, for the starting job. Gilbert will be enrolling at SMU this summer as a grad student and will thus be eligible to play in 2012.
McDermott will not be involved in the competition as his eligibility has expired.
At this point in time, it’s unclear which school and at what level Padron will to transfer to in order to continue his playing career.
(Tip O’ The Cap: Examiner.com‘s Kevin McGuire)