MSU’s Shrader enters transfer portal

By Myra Bean

Mississippi State sophomore wide receiver Garrett Shrader has put his name in the transfer portal, four games into the season.

Shrader made the announcement on Twitter Wednesday, citing he wants to use his quarterback skill set.

“This is not an easy decision, but I am a QB and it’s the skill set that got me here,” Shrader said.

Shrader has three years of eligibility and said his recruitment is 100 percent open.

When asked about the transfer at the weekly press conference, head coach Mike Leach said they did not have any conversation about Shrader transferring.

“I think Garrett wants to play quarterback. We wish him the best. He was a good teammate and we enjoyed having him,” Leach said.

Shrader catapulted himself onto the scene and into the hearts of Bulldog fans last year went he went airborne trying for a first down against Kansas State.

Shrader appeared in 10 games for the Bulldogs in 2019. He completed 88 of 153 passes for 1,179 yards and 8 touchdown passes. He had 113 rushes for 587 yards and six touchdowns.

The 6’4”, 220-pound native of Charlotte will maintain his year of eligibility due to the NCAA’s blanket eligibility waiver and will be a sophomore at his new school.

Leach’s air raid offense does not fit former coach’s Joe Morehead run-based offense.

Shrader appeared in all four games for Mississippi State this season but only had one reception for eight yards after he was moved to the wide receiver position.