Coming off a difficult year in which the team was restricted by a postseason ban, SMU was looking to next season for a chance for a fresh start and renewed hope. However, the 2016 roster has taken a hit.
Bruno Fernando, a four-star member of the Mustangs 2016 recruiting class, has decommitted and instead reclassified to be part of the 2017 recruiting cycle. Fernando will return to Montverde Academy and play for a post-grad team, his high school coach Kevin Boyle confirmed to USA Today's Jason Jordan.
Fernando originally committed to SMU back in April, through there were rumors throughout his recruiting process that a post-grad season was a possibility and would keep him from college for another year.
The 6-foot-9, 217-pound center was the 71st ranked player in the ESPN 100 for 2016 and will now be a highly coveted member of the 2017 class.