Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel has entered the NCAA transfer portal to explore his options for his final season of eligibility. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Gabriel earned unanimous first-team All-Big 12 honors this season after leading the Big 12 with 3,660 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns and six interceptions and guiding the Sooners to a 10-win regular season.
  • The 5-foot-11, 204-pound senior spent three seasons at UCF before transferring to Oklahoma in 2022. His 14,865 career passing yards rank second-most among all active FBS quarterbacks.
  • Gabriel is eligible to enter the NFL Draft but is expected to explore his options for his extra season of eligibility before making a decision.

Thank you Oklahoma ❤️ pic.twitter.com/90fT2nBE7A

— Dillon Gabriel (@_dillongabriel_) December 4, 2023

How coveted will Gabriel be in the portal?

If Gabriel doesn’t like the draft feedback he gets and wants to play one final college season, he’s going to have a nice list of options. The safe move would be going to Mississippi State to play in the same offensive scheme with his longtime coach Jeff Lebby, the Bulldogs’ newly hired head coach. But there are quite a few big-time programs on the West Coast — particularly Oregon, Washington and USC — with high-speed offenses that could be a good fit for the Hawaii native.

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What does this mean for Oklahoma?

Gabriel went through Senior Day ceremonies for his final home game at Oklahoma, so it’s safe to say the Sooners were not expecting him to return in 2024. They already have their quarterback of the future in freshman Jackson Arnold, a five-star recruit who threw for 202 yards and scored three touchdowns in his six appearances during the season. If Gabriel doesn’t stay for Oklahoma’s bowl game, that would give Arnold an invaluable chance to lead this offense for 15 bowl practices and get good game reps heading into his sophomore season.

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(Photo: Chris Gardner / Getty Images)

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