The North Texas community fell into a bit of a collective panic last November. Their star quarterback, who came from out of nowhere and, in turn, lifted an unknown program from obscurity, had suddenly become the subject of speculation and rumor mongering. Would Mason Fine really leave?
In the age of the transfer portal, this was a non-Power 5 program's worst nightmare. Coaches at the lower rungs have long suspected that they'd become a feeding ground for blue bloods of the sport, picking off players they'd spent their time, energy and resources to develop.
Fine, who started three seasons, was said to be close to graduating.