Tanner Mordecai is set to lead Wisconsin's offense. Get to know the transfer quarterback.
PLATTEVILLE – Tanner Mordecai transferred to Wisconsin from SMU largely because he had been told by NFL scouts they wanted to see whether he could flourish against better competition than he faced in the American Athletic Conference.
Mordecai, a sixth-year senior who started for two seasons at SMU, has been UW’s No. 1 quarterback since last spring and remains the projected starter for the Sept. 2 opener against Buffalo.
Here are some things to know about the 6-foot-2, 215-pound quarterback:
Mordecai was behind talented quarterbacks at Oklahoma before he chose to transfer to SMU
Mordecai played in just two games as a freshman at Oklahoma in 2018. The No. 1 reason? Kyler Murray was the team’s starting quarterback. Murray passed for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns and rushed for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns. He won the Heisman Trophy.
Mordecai played in six games in 2019 and completed 16 of 26 attempts for 207 yards and two touchdowns. This time he was behind Alabama transfer Jalen Hurts, who passed for 3,851 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 1,298 yards and 20 touchdowns. Hurts finished second in the Heisman voting.
Mordecai played in just four games in 2020 as he was behind Spencer Rattler, who passed for 3,031 yards and 28 touchdowns.
With standout freshman Caleb Williams set to join the Sooners in 2021, Mordecai transferred to SMU. He started a total of 24 games in two seasons for the Mustangs and had a combined 72 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions.
Entering his sixth college season, Mordecai has seen everything
“He’s not very flappable,” UW offensive coordinator Phil Longo said when asked about Mordecai's experience. “He’s not going to be erratic because of pressure. His blood pressure doesn’t go up much.
“Because he is so mature, he handles things the way we want our quarterback to handle it, with a little bit of poise…I don’t think there is a stress level issue with him.”
Mordecai loves to talk football, but not about his game
According to UW’s players and coaches, Mordecai didn’t start touting his SMU resume when he arrived in Madison last winter. Rather, he kept his mouth shut and worked to earn their respect.
Ask Mordecai to assess his play in the spring and he’ll tell you UW’s wide receivers are underrated and that they, along with the offensive linemen, adjusted seamlessly to a new offense.
His play? He just needs to eliminate inconsistency.
Mordecai doesn’t appear interested in, or comfortable with, talking about his skills.
Preseason camp is a grind? Mordecai doesn't agree
Mordecai is in the midst of his sixth preseason camp, with UW practicing at UW-Platteville for Week 1.
“The best part is hanging out with the boys, just getting to know each other on a deeper level,” Mordecai said. “In fall camp, it is 16-, 17-hour days and you’re with the same guys every day. People on the outside might think that is the worst part, but I think that is the best part.
“Great teams have a sense of togetherness and that is something that is going to help us do what we want to do.”
What was Mordecai's best game at SMU?
SMU was 2-2 in the AAC and 4-4 overall when it hosted Houston on Nov. 5 last season.
Mordecai completed 28 of 37 attempts for 379 yards and nine touchdowns in the Mustangs’ 77-63 victory. He passed for seven touchdowns and rushed for one – in the first half – to help SMU build a 56-35 lead.
Mordecai completed 22 of 26 attempts (84.6%) for 297 yards and seven touchdowns in the half.
The Mustangs scored touchdowns on their first nine drives and didn’t punt until there was 5 minutes, 30 seconds left in the third quarter, at the end of their 10th drive.
Mordecai’s touchdown passes covered 2, 6, 9, 35, 1, 10, 4, 3, and 43 yards.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Get to know Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin Badgers starting quarterback
