Venables on Gabriel exit: ‘Can’t make a guy stay’

• Eli Lederman, ESPN Personnel WriterSep 24, 2024, 02:51 PM ET Close Eli Lederman covers college football and recruiting for ESPN.com. He joined ESPN in 2024 after covering the University of Oklahoma for Sellout Crowd and the Tulsa World.With Oklahoma navigating an unforeseen quarterback change, coach Brent Venables used unprompted insight Tuesday afternoon into the situations surrounding seasoned quarterback Dillon Gabriel’s departure from the program late last year.Gabriel, a sixth-year quarterback, spent two seasons under center with the Sooners before moving to Oregon for the 2024 project. Days after Oklahoma benched Gabriel’s replacement– previous luxury quarterback Jackson Arnold– in Saturday’s Week 4 loss to Tennessee, Venables utilized his weekly press conference to provide his viewpoint on Gabriel’s exit into the transfer portal after the 2023 season and the meeting that preceded it.”You can’t make a guy stay,”the Sooners’ third-year coach stated.” The guy is looking for the next thing; the next chapter for him. I’m sure there was most likely some dissatisfaction that [Gabriel] wasn’t more extremely thought of in the NFL. He had a remarkable year. He was a fantastic quarterback. However we didn’t run any person off or things like that. “Gabriel, who began his career at UCF in 2019, tossed for 6,828 yards and 55 touchdowns throughout 2 seasons with the Sooners. He entered his 2nd season at Oklahoma last fall with plans to enter the 2024 NFL draft before leading the Sooners to a 10-2 surface during the routine season, highlighted by a come-from-behind victory over Texas on Oct. 7. Despite a productive 2023 season, Gabriel did not get favorable NFL draft grades after his fifth season, an advancement that influenced his decision to return to college football in 2024. Editor’s Picks

According to Venables, Gabriel asked for a conference in the days following Oklahoma’s 2023 regular-season finale versus TCU. During the conference, Venables stated, Gabriel outlined his strategies to go into the transfer website and to opt out of the Sooners’ Alamo Bowl match with Arizona, pointing out the departure of offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and a desire to play closer to home among his factors.

“I did not understand at that time that he wasn’t going to go to the NFL. … I didn’t even understand I needed to fight this battle,” Venables said. “I didn’t even realize that you were even considering returning. And he states, ‘Yeah, however I simply want to get closer to home’. We hugged and shook hands. He was a little psychological and I was. It was all truly great and favorable.”

Gabriel, who is from Hawai’i, has tossed for 914 backyards and six touchdowns without any interceptions for the undefeated Ducks this season.The situations of his departure from Oklahoma returned into focus this week with the Sooners in the midst of upheaval at the quarterback position.Gabriel’s exit last December cleared the course for Arnold, a sought after prospect, to action in under center this fall. Arnold made his very first profession start in the 2023 Alamo Bowl, finishing 26-of-45 passing for 361 yards with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in a 38-24 loss to Arizona. Arnold started the first 4 games of his sophomore season this fall before he was benched in Week 4 after beginning 7-of-16 for 54 backyards with 3 turnovers in a 25-15 loss to Tennessee on Saturday.During his “Sooner Sports Talk” coaches show Monday, Venables validated

the Sooners would begin freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. at Auburn in Week 5.” I expressed to Jackson that this is a minute,” Venables said Tuesday.” Jackson’s going to

have an amazing future and career. He’s going to play this game [for] a very long time. All of that will work itself out in due time.” After changing Arnold before halftime versus Tennessee, Hawkins completed 11-for-18 with 132 lawns and a goal to go with 22 rushing backyards in his most considerable playing time. The 6-foot-1, 196-pound freshman will make his very first career start Saturday when Oklahoma check outs Auburn (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC).”Maybe this will give us a better opportunity moving forward,”Venables stated.”I believe in Mike. I made that announcement for a lot of factors. Definitely did

n’t want a choice like that to hang over anybody’s head. We got to improve. “