Dillon Gabriel entered the NCAA Transfer Portal as it opened Monday, ushering in the Jackson Arnold era at Oklahoma.
Thank you Oklahoma ❤️ pic.twitter.com/90fT2nBE7A
— Dillon Gabriel (@_dillongabriel_) December 4, 2023
Gabriel started for the Sooners the last two seasons. In 2023, he threw for 3,660 yards with 30 touchdowns and six interceptions as he completed 69.3% of his passes, receiving unanimous first-team All-Big 12 recognition last week.
“The past two years here at OU as a Sooner I have made memories with friends and family that remind me how blessed I am,” Gabriel wrote Monday. “I have been able to play football for an amazing group of coaches and alongside men who have become my brothers. More than anything I have grown in faith and love. I appreciate and cherish these memories and relationships forever.”
His status as OU’s starter appeared to be coming to an end with the former five-star Arnold looming. It was long believed Gabriel would declare for the NFL Draft.
Sooners coach Brent Venables joked when asked about Gabriel returning for another season following Oklahoma’s 69-45 win over TCU on Nov. 24.
“Is he in here right now? … Nah, everything has its time,” Venables said.
Quarterbacks on the Sooners’ roster include Arnold, redshirt senior Davis Beville and redshirt sophomores General Booty and walk-on Jacob Switzer.
Gabriel, a fifth-year senior who transferred to OU from UCF after the 2021 season, has thrown for 14,865 yards in his career, which ranks No. 8 all-time. He’s accounted for 152 total touchdowns and completed 63.1% of his passes.
Gabriel will be remembered for choosing to come to Norman at a time of uncertainty as Lincoln Riley left for USC and Venables had just arrived. While there were ups and downs, the high point of Gabriel’s time came when he threw for 285 yards and a touchdown and led a game-winning drive against archival Texas on Oct. 7.
“My time in the palace was a game time experience I will never forget,” Gabriel wrote. “Sooner nation, you held me accountable and I am better for it.”
Gabriel is expected to be one of the most highly-touted names in the portal and should draw high-dollar NIL money. In 2021, Gabriel was a four-star transfer and the No. 6 quarterback in the portal, according to 247Sports’ transfer rankings.
With former OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby’s departure to Mississippi State, the Bulldogs could be an option. West Coast schools Oregon and Washington will be in play for quarterbacks this offseason and UCLA, where Gabriel committed out of the portal initially in 2021, could also add following freshman Dante Moore’s portal entry.
“Coach (Venables), my coaches, and the football staff,” Gabriel wrote. “I am grateful for your care, knowledge and insight. Most of all, thanks for your faith in me and the opportunity to lead and be a member of OU’s Team 128 and 129.”
247Sports’ Matt Zenitz initially reported Gabriel’s intention to enter the portal.
