Brent Venables, the head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners, recently shed some light on the circumstances surrounding Dillon Gabriel’s decision to transfer from the program. Gabriel, a seasoned quarterback who spent two years with the Sooners, made the move to Oregon for the 2024 season. Venables highlighted that Gabriel’s departure was not due to being pushed out by the team but rather stemmed from his desire to explore new opportunities and potentially play closer to home.
Despite Gabriel’s impressive performance during the 2023 season, where he led the Sooners to a 10-2 record, he did not receive favorable NFL draft grades. This led him to reconsider his plans and ultimately choose to continue playing college football. Venables mentioned that Gabriel approached him after the regular-season finale in 2023 and expressed his intentions to enter the transfer portal and skip the Alamo Bowl, citing personal reasons and the departure of the offensive coordinator as factors influencing his decision.
Since Gabriel’s departure, the Oklahoma Sooners have faced challenges at the quarterback position. Jackson Arnold, who took over from Gabriel, struggled in the early games of the season and was eventually replaced by freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. Venables expressed confidence in Hawkins, who showed promise in his debut against Tennessee. The coach emphasized that the decision to start Hawkins was made to provide the team with a fresh opportunity to improve and move forward.
Looking ahead, Hawkins is set to make his first career start for the Sooners against Auburn, marking a significant moment in his college football journey. Venables remains optimistic about Hawkins’ potential and believes that the team can benefit from this change moving forward. As the Sooners navigate this quarterback transition, Venables is focused on supporting his players and helping them grow both on and off the field.
The situation with Dillon Gabriel’s transfer decision serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of college football and the importance of adapting to changes as they arise. Venables’ openness about the circumstances surrounding Gabriel’s departure provides insight into the complexities of managing a collegiate sports program. With a new quarterback at the helm, the Oklahoma Sooners are poised to face the challenges of the season head-on and work towards achieving their goals on the field.
