Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel enters the transfer portal; Jackson Arnold era begins.
NORMAN — The Jackson Arnold era appears to be here for Oklahoma.
Dillon Gabriel, OU’s record-breaking quarterback, appears to be heading to the transfer portal for his last season of eligibility.
Gabriel, while not explicitly stating that he was entering the transfer portal, did write a statement on X (previously Twitter) thanking OU fans for the last two seasons.
“Thanks for your faith in me and the opportunity to lead and be a member of OU’s team 128 and 129,” Gabriel wrote on his Facebook page.
Dillon Gabriel had discussed the OU departure before.
The move was not completely unexpected.
Gabriel has long stated that this would be his final season as he sought to transfer the baton to Arnold, but many anticipated him to pursue a career in the NFL following this season.
Gabriel threw for 3,660 yards, 30 touchdowns, and six interceptions this season, propelling him into the top ten all-time in career passing yards and touchdown passes.
He has 14,865 career throwing yards and 125 touchdowns.
This season, he also became an important part of the Sooners’ rushing offence, totaling 373 yards and 12 touchdowns.
His most memorable performance came against Texas, when he led a late touchdown drive that was finished by a 3-yard touchdown pass to Nic Anderson with 15 seconds left, lifting the Sooners to a 34-30 victory.
Gabriel joined OU following three seasons at UCF, his first as offensive coordinator under Jeff Lebby.
When Lebby took over as Brent Venables’ offensive coordinator, he persuaded Gabriel to join him in Norman, just hours before he was set to start his first class at UCLA.
Lebby was recently hired as Mississippi State’s head coach, leaving Gabriel only one viable destination.
Jackson Arnold may soon take over as OU quarterback.
Now, the Sooners will turn to Arnold, a five-star freshman who saw minimal action this season but was called upon in the second half of a late-season triumph over BYU when Gabriel sustained a head injury.
Arnold completed 18-of-24 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions.
He also rushed for 78 yards and one touchdown.
Arnold is expected to start at quarterback for the Sooners against Arizona in the Alamo Bowl on December 28.
Other Sooners enter the gateway.
On Monday, several more Sooners logged onto the portal.
Reggie Grimes, a senior defensive lineman, was followed by Key Lawrence, a senior safety, and Millwood’s redshirt senior running back Marcus Major Jr.
Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Savion Byrd and redshirt junior offensive lineman Nate Anderson have also accessed the site.
Daylan Smothers, a freshman running back, added his name to the list. He was probably the biggest surprise of the day.
More: OU football recruiting news: Who has committed to the Oklahoma Sooners’ 2024 class?
Alamo Bowl
No. 12 Oklahoma at. No. 14 Arizona
KICKOFF: 8:15 p.m., Thursday, December 28, in the Alamodome in San Antonio (ESPN).
