Tanner Mordecai Bio
Tanner Mordecai (born November 8, 1999) is an American professional football quarterback. He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners, SMU Mustangs, and Wisconsin Badgers. After going unselected in the 2024 NFL draft, he signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent.
Standing 6 ft 2 in and listed at 218 lb, Mordecai has built his career on a strong passing background developed in Texas. He is recognized for record-setting performances at the college level, including a school-record nine-touchdown game while at SMU.
Early Life and Background
Tanner Mordecai was born on November 8, 1999, in Waco, Texas, in the United States. He grew up in the Waco area and attended Midway High School, where he developed into a prominent high school quarterback prospect.
During his time at Midway, Mordecai passed for 4,797 yards and 51 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the more productive passers in the region. Following his prep career, he committed to the University of Oklahoma to play college football, launching a path that would take him through three major programs before reaching the professional level.
Path to American Football
Mordecai’s route to college football’s biggest stages began with his commitment to Oklahoma, one of the premier programs in the sport. The decision reflected his status as a top in-state recruit and set the stage for early development under competitive conditions in the Big 12 Conference.
Although his time at Oklahoma was spent primarily in a reserve role, the program exposed him to elite-level coaching and high-end competition. That foundation allowed him to transfer and eventually earn starting roles at SMU and Wisconsin, where his game reached its peak in the passing game.
Tanner Mordecai Career
Early Career at Oklahoma (2018–2020)
Mordecai played at Oklahoma from 2018 to 2020. In his first year, he appeared in two games as a backup to Kyler Murray and took a redshirt. The experience gave him an inside look at one of college football’s most explosive offenses.
In 2019, he competed with Jalen Hurts to be the starter but lost the job and spent the season as Hurts’ backup. In 2020, he again competed for the starting role, this time against Spencer Rattler, but again served as the backup. Overall, Mordecai played in 12 games at Oklahoma, completing 50 of 70 passes for 639 yards and four touchdowns.
SMU Breakthrough (2021–2022)
In 2021, Mordecai transferred to Southern Methodist University, where he was quickly named the starter. In his first start, he threw for a then school-record seven passing touchdowns in a 56–9 victory over Abilene Christian, announcing his arrival as a top-tier passer in the American Athletic Conference.
Following the 2021 season, Mordecai was selected to the American’s All-Conference Second Team, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s top quarterbacks. On November 5, 2022, against the Houston Cougars, he elevated his game further, throwing for a school-record nine touchdowns, seven of which came in the first half. The Mustangs won the game 77–63, breaking the FBS record for the highest-scoring regulation game, and Mordecai was named the American’s offensive player of the week for his performance.
Wisconsin Era (2023)
On December 30, 2022, Mordecai announced his intent to transfer to the University of Wisconsin, seeking a fresh start in the Big Ten Conference. The move placed him in a Power Five conference and gave him an opportunity to test his skills against elite competition.
His time at Wisconsin added pro-style experience to his resume, helping him prepare for the next level. The Wisconsin chapter of his career was a key step in his development before he declared for the 2024 NFL draft.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2024–Present)
On April 27, 2024, Mordecai signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent after he was not selected in the 2024 NFL draft. He was also selected by the DC Defenders in the ninth round of the 2024 UFL draft on July 17, expanding his professional options.
Mordecai was waived by the 49ers on August 27, then re-signed to the practice squad. He later signed a reserve/future contract with San Francisco on January 6, 2025. On August 4, 2025, he was waived by the 49ers, re-signed three days later, waived again on August 11, and re-signed on August 21 before being placed on a waived/injured designation on August 25. The series of moves reflects the typical early-career churn for a young quarterback working to earn a roster spot.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mordecai is recognized for his arm strength and accuracy as a passer, with the ability to push the ball downfield and produce explosive passing plays. His record-setting performances at SMU, including nine-touchdown and seven-touchdown games, highlight his knack for big numbers when given starting opportunities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Mordecai’s nine-touchdown performance against Houston on November 5, 2022, stands as a defining moment of his college career, setting an SMU record and helping produce the highest-scoring regulation game in FBS history. His selection to the American’s All-Conference Second Team in 2021 further cemented his standing as one of the top quarterbacks in the conference during that period.
Tanner Mordecai Career Wins
Tanner Mordecai’s professional career is still in its earliest stages, and his verified win totals at the NFL level remain limited. His most notable win came during his college tenure at SMU, where his record-setting passing days translated into lopsided victories, including a 56–9 win over Abilene Christian in his first start and a 77–63 shootout win over Houston in 2022.
SMU Highlights
At SMU, Mordecai became one of the most productive passers in program history. His first start produced a then school-record seven passing touchdowns, and his nine-touchdown game against Houston the following year set a new SMU single-game record. He wrapped up his time as a Second-team All-AAC selection in 2021, signaling his arrival as the Mustangs’ clear leader at quarterback.
Other Wins & Performances
Outside of his SMU peak, Mordecai’s verified accomplishments include a productive Oklahoma stint where he gained developmental experience behind established starters, and a Wisconsin season that broadened his resume against Big Ten competition. His signing with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2024 stands as a milestone in his transition to the professional ranks.
Tanner Mordecai Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly verified details about Tanner Mordecai’s immediate family are limited. What is known is that he grew up in Waco, Texas, and attended Midway High School, where he became one of the area’s most productive high school passers before heading to Oklahoma.
Personal Life
Verified information about Mordecai’s personal life, including marital status, spouse, or children, is not publicly available in the sources reviewed. He is identified as an American professional football quarterback who has focused on building his playing career since leaving college.
2025 Season Performance
Tanner Mordecai’s 2025 storyline centers on his ongoing work with the San Francisco 49ers organization. After signing a reserve/future contract in January 2025, he entered the new league year working to secure a place on the roster or practice squad.
His roster status has moved frequently during the 2025 offseason and preseason, with a series of waivers and re-signings between August 4 and August 25. Those moves underline his status as a developmental arm the organization wants to keep within its system, even as he continues to compete for a permanent spot.
Looking ahead, Mordecai’s outlook depends on his continued development, his health after the late-August waived/injured designation, and any opportunity to climb into a backup or active role behind the 49ers’ established quarterback room. His college resume, particularly his record-setting SMU tenure, provides a foundation that could translate into a longer-term professional opportunity if he remains healthy and consistent.