Cheney, WA – It was such a perfect fit before that Eastern Washington football is seeking yet another storybook finish.
Former SMU junior quarterback Kyle Padron is transferring to the Eagles program with the hope that he can follow the success of Bo Levi Mitchell.
Mitchell was the starting quarterback at SMU for one-and-a-half seasons before Padron replaced him in 2009. Mitchell then transfered to EWU, where he led the Eagles to the 2010 FCS title and a year later captured the 2011 Walter Payton Award as the nation's outstanding player.
The 6-foot-4, 233-pound Padron, like Mitchell a Texas native, set a SMU passing record in 2010 with 3,828 yards and 31 touchdowns. He lost the top job to J.J. McDermott last season and former Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert has since transferred into SMU.
"I felt comfortable with being able to pick up the (Eastern Washington) system and how well the system prepares a QB to get to the next level," Padron told ESPN.com on Thursday. "There is more responsibility the QB has there than what I'm coming from and the guys they have coming back, especially at wide receiver, are very intriguing."
Eastern Washington finished 6-5 amid a myriad of injuries last season. The Eagles kick off the 2012 season on Sept. 1 at Idaho.
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