It's official: QB Padron transfers to Eastern Washington

May 30, 2012 - 12:59 AM Cheney, WA (Sports Network) - Former SMU quarterback Kyle Padron has received an injury hardship for last season and will have two years of eligibility remaining as a transfer to Eastern Washington.

Padron follows in the footsteps of EWU's reigning Walter Payton Award winner, Bo Levi Mitchell, who made the same transfer from SMU in 2010.

At SMU, the 6-foot-4, 233-pound Padron passed for 5,902 yards and 41 touchdowns in his first two seasons, compiling a 12-9 record as a starter. He helped the Mustangs beat Nevada, 45-10, in the 2009 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, passing for a school-record 460 yards and two touchdowns to earn MVP honors.

Padron suffered ankle and back injuries last season and was replaced in the starting lineup, leading to his desire to transfer from SMU.

"He brings in experience and so many other intangibles," EWU coach Beau Baldwin said of the 2009 graduate of Southlake Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas. "He's a great quarterback, but he also does the right things off the field and has great leadership skills. He's won a lot of ball games."

Eastern Washington finished 6-5 amid a myriad of injuries last season. The Eagles kick off their 2012 season on Sept. 1 at Idaho.