Current:Home > NewsBrent Venables says Oklahoma didn't run off QB Dillon Gabriel: 'You can't make a guy stay'-InfoLens
Brent Venables says Oklahoma didn't run off QB Dillon Gabriel: 'You can't make a guy stay'
View Date:2024-12-23 16:50:12
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.
REQUIRED READING:OU football coach Brent Venables says Sooners did not run off QB Dillon Gabriel after 2023
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."
REQUIRED READING:Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel addresses Oklahoma departure after Brent Venables' comments
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.
veryGood! (264)
Related
- Jason Kelce Offers Up NSFW Explanation for Why Men Have Beards
- US Justice Department says Virginia is illegally striking voters off the rolls in new lawsuit
- We Found Lululemon Under $99 Finds Including $49 Align Leggings, $29 Bodysuits & More Trendy Essentials
- These Sabrina the Teenage Witch Secrets Are Absolutely Spellbinding
- Louisville officials mourn victims of 'unthinkable' plant explosion amid investigation
- Why Remi Bader Stopped Posting on Social Media Amid Battle With Depression
- Woman who stabbed classmate to please Slender Man files third release request
- Solar storm unleashes stunning views of auroras across the US: See northern lights photos
- FBI offers up to $25,000 reward for information about suspect behind Northwest ballot box fires
- Fisher-Price recalls over 2 million ‘Snuga Swings’ following the deaths of 5 infants
Ranking
- Spirit Airlines cancels release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
- Texas man held in Las Vegas in deadly 2020 Nevada-Arizona shooting rampage pleads guilty
- 'Pumpkins on steroids': California contest draws gourds the size of a Smart car
- R. Kelly's Daughter Joann Kelly Alleges Singer Sexually Abused Her as a Child
- Florida man’s US charges upgraded to killing his estranged wife in Spain
- 'NBA Inside Stuff' merged NBA and pop culture before social media. Now it gets HOF treatment.
- Yes, salmon is good for you. But here's why you want to avoid having too much.
- Why Eminem Didn’t Initially Believe Daughter Hailie Jade’s Pregnancy News
Recommendation
-
Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones’ Infowars at auction with help from Sandy Hook families
-
Twin brothers Cameron, Cayden Boozer commit to Duke basketball just like their father
-
For Olympians playing in WNBA Finals, 'big moment' experience helps big-time in postseason
-
NFL MVP rankings: CJ Stroud, Lamar Jackson close gap on Patrick Mahomes
-
Kraft Heinz stops serving school-designed Lunchables because of low demand
-
Horoscopes Today, October 11, 2024
-
Hot-air balloon strikes and collapses radio tower in Albuquerque during festival
-
Jury finds ex-member of rock band Mr. Bungle guilty of killing his girlfriend