SMU football has added former blue-chip linebacker Richard McBryde as a graduate transfer with immediate eligibility from Auburn, sources confirmed. Alabama.com first reported McBryde's addition to the roster.

McBryde initially enters University Park as a senior by eligibility. However, the staff could petition the NCAA for another year, as the Troy, Ala., native missed the entire 2018 season with a neck injury. 

McBryde was an Under Armor All-American and USA Today Alabama Defensive Player of the Year coming out of high school. He was the No. 199 overall recruit in the class of 2015. In 22 games for the Tigers as a reserve, McBryde posted 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup. 

He immediately steps into a linebacker room that lost its leader, Kyran Mitchell, to graduation. Former Texas A&M transfer Richard Moore is entrenched in the MIKE position after leading the team with 92 tackles a year ago. Delano Robinson and Trevor Denbow both played major snaps. 

However, the depth is much less proven. McBryde should step into the room and immediately compete for both special teams and linebacker snaps. He has the natural ability to fill some of the holes Mitchell's graduation left behind.