Brent Venables Addresses Dillon Gabriel's Transfer and Its Impact on Oklahoma Football

In a surprising turn of events for Oklahoma football, head coach Brent Venables recently shared his insights regarding the departure of veteran quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who left the program to join Oregon just before the 2024 season. This revelation comes at a time when the Sooners are grappling with their own quarterback challenges following an unexpected benching of their current starter.

Dillon Gabriel, a sixth-year quarterback, had a remarkable two-season stint at Oklahoma after transferring from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 2022. Over his time with the Sooners, he amassed an impressive 6,828 passing yards and 55 touchdowns. As he approached his second year, the prospect of entering the 2024 NFL draft was on his mind, especially after leading his team to a commendable 10-2 regular-season record, which included a thrilling comeback over Texas.

Despite these achievements, Gabriel faced unfavorable evaluations from NFL scouts, prompting his decision to continue his college career instead of turning professional. Venables explained that Gabriel initiated a meeting in the aftermath of Oklahoma’s season finale against TCU, choosing to express his desire to enter the transfer portal and skip the Alamo Bowl against Arizona. The departure of offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and a yearning to return closer to his home in Hawai’i played significant roles in Gabriel's decision.

Reflecting on their conversation, Venables remarked, “I had no idea he wasn’t thinking about going to the NFL… We parted ways on good terms, sharing a moment that was both emotional and positive.”

In the wake of Gabriel's exit, Oklahoma turned to Jackson Arnold, the highly-touted five-star quarterback prospect, as his successor. Arnold debuted in the Alamo Bowl but had a mixed performance, completing 26 of 45 passes for 361 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in a loss. Following a rocky start to the current season, including a poor performance against Tennessee, Arnold was benched in favor of freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.

Hawkins, who made his presence felt replacing Arnold during the Tennessee game, showcased his potential by completing 11 of 18 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, along with 22 rushing yards. Venables announced Hawkins will be the starting quarterback for the upcoming game against Auburn, stating, “I believe in Mike and feel this gives us a better chance moving forward.”

Oklahoma is at a pivotal moment in its season, and with the quarterback position in flux, all eyes will be on Hawkins as he steps into a critical role. Can he lead the Sooners back to their winning ways? Only time will tell, but the stakes are high in this dramatic turnaround! Stay tuned as the story unfolds.