Oklahoma football coach Brent Venables cleared up the narrative Tuesday surrounding the transfer of now-Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who left the Sooners after two seasons in the offseason.
The Sooners have experienced offensive issues in 2024, including from the quarterback position. Amid inconsistencies at the quarterback position — along with Jackson Arnold, the 2024 starter being benched for his true freshman backup, Michael Hawkins Jr. — questions have arisen regarding how Venables handled the transfer of Gabriel, who left for Oklahoma for Oregon in the offseason.
Venables, who explained the situation unprompted at his weekly news conference on Tuesday, said he met with his former quarterback prior to last season’s Alamo Bowl loss to Arizona, in which Gabriel revealed to Venables he was opting out and not returning to Norman due to then-offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby taking the head coaching job at Mississippi State.
Venables said he thought Gabriel was opting out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL, but Gabriel told him he planned on staying in college and playing closer to Hawaii, his home state.
‘I didn’t even know I had to fight this fight,’ Venables said. ‘I didn’t realize (Gabriel) was even considering coming back.’
Venables later added:
‘You can’t make a guy stay,’ Venables said. ‘The guy is trying to find the next thing; the next chapter for him. I’m sure there was probably some disappointment that (Gabriel) wasn’t more highly thought of in the NFL. He had an amazing year. He was a fantastic quarterback. But we didn’t run anybody off or things like that.’
Gabriel was asked about Venables’ comments at his own interview at Oregon later on Tuesday.
‘Honestly it’s so far gone,’ Gabriel said. ‘I just know God’s got me right where I need to be. I’ve got a smile on my face every day because I’m in Eugene, Oregon, around a bunch of great guys. Of course, those are guys that are my brothers for life and guys I’ve played with. Like I said, it’s people I still talk to on the team, players-wise. You focus on what you can control and that’s right where I’m at. Like I said, I’m happy. I know God put me right where I need to be and I think that’s all that needs to be said, honestly.’
Gabriel, who has started nearly all of his appearances across six college seasons at UCF, Oklahoma and now Oregon, has completed 79 of 94 passes for 914 yards with six touchdowns this season. His 15,779 career passing yards currently rank seventh all time in NCAA history.
The Mililani, Hawaii, native had his best college season with the Sooners last year, passing for 3,660 yards with 30 touchdowns to six interceptions. He also rushed for 373 yards with 12 touchdowns.