Despite having one year of eligibility left, Kyle Padron inexplicably opted to enter the 2013 NFL Draft. The former Southern Methodist University transfer had only spent one season at Eastern Washington and apparently he thought that was enough to tempt his NFL fate and declare draft eligible.

He sure liked replacing Bo Levi Mitchell because after supplanting Mitchell at SMU halfway through the 2009 season, prompting Mitchell to transfer to Eastern Washington, Padron himself would see turnabout and be supplanted, thereby transferring to EWU to replace Mitchell after he had graduated. Oh, what a tangled web we weave.

In his one season at EWU, Padron started just 5 games and split time with redshirt freshman, Vernon Adams, in the other six contests. Padron would eventually lead the Eagles to the semifinals of the FCS playoffs. Along the way, he completed 175-of-296 passes (59%) for 2,491 yards with 17 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. Not bad but not exactly what one would consider enough to parlay into being an NFL draft pick.

In his three prior seasons and 21 starts at SMU, he has the school's career record for passing efficiency (142.0 rating) and total offense per game (259.9). Those numbers weren't enough to keep him from being benched his junior season after a poor showing in the opener in favor of Senior New Mexico State transfer, JJ McDermott. Padron would later suffer a herniated disc which eliminated any chance of earning his job back. That benching is what prompted him to take the Bo Levi Mitchell route expressway to Eastern Washington.

Padron's best seasons were his freshman and sophomore years at SMU.

As a freshman he led the Mustangs to wins in five of their last six games to earn a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman Team. Their strong finish earned SMU a birth in the Hawaii bowl where Padron took home MVP honors after passing for a school-record 460 yards and 2 TD's in a 45-10 route of Nevada.

Padron's only college season as the fulltime starter was his sophomore year. That season Padron started all 14 games at quarterback, but could do no better than honorable mention All-Conference USA despite setting several SMU records including passing yards (3,828), total yards (4,072), touchdowns (31), completions (302) and attempts (508). SMU would finish the season with a 7-7 record and lose to Army in the Armed Forces Bowl despite Padron completing 23 passes for 302 yards with a 67.6 completion percentage and 2 touchdowns.

The 6-2, 221 pound quarterback shows great pocket awareness and mobility. Coaches and scouts like him for his sound mechanics and footwork. His passes don't flutter or sail even on the move as he has excellent mechanics to step into throws and, though he is not considered incredibly athletic, has shown great elusive abilities. When rolling to his left, he sets his feet prior to making his throw while rolling right, he can throw on the run with accuracy.

Several teams showed interest in Padron prior to the draft including the Chiefs, Browns, Seahawks, Texans, Cowboys, Steelers, Bears, Dolphins and Panthers.

He sat down with SB Nation site The Phinsider last month. Read that interview here.

The Raiders drafted Tyler Wilson in the fourth round as competition at the quarterback position with Matt Flynn and Terrelle Pryor. Teams always head into camp with four quarterbacks to ease the burden and spread the ball around. Padron is a camp arm at this point who will be auditioning for the NFL in the preseason.

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