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On Monday, Oklahoma Sooners freshman quarterback Caleb Williams, who overtook recent transfer and vaunted gunslinger Spencer Rattler for the role under center last year, announced he intended to enter the NCAA transfer portal. The announcement sent shockwaves across the college football landscape, even if Williams’ announcement was somewhat expected after former head coach Lincoln Riley left for the USC Trojans.
It’s unclear where Williams will land, though the Georgia Bulldogs are an early favorite.
Following the news, recently hired Oklahoma head coach Brett Venables and university athletic director Joe Castiglione issues a joint statement addressing the decision.
“Caleb Williams enjoyed an exciting and impactful first season at the University of Oklahoma and we will continue to be engaged with him and his family on a comprehensive plan for his development as a student and quarterback, including graduation and strategic leveraging of NIL opportunities,” the statement read. “While we believe OU provides Caleb the best opportunity to develop as a player and realize his goals for college and beyond, we respect his right to explore his options following key staffing changes here.”
They continued, “OU’s commitment to student-athlete development and its powerful track record of preparing players for the next level, including quarterbacks for the NFL, is unparalleled. Jeff Lebby is one of the most elite offensive coordinators and quarterback developers in the country. With the players we know are returning and with the new ones on the way, we will continue to explosive on offense under his direction.”
WHAT THE WISE MEN ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LONGHORNS
247Sports: Projecting college football’s Top 25 in 2025
Inside Texas: Inside Scoop: O-line depth chart ahead of spring, potential foundational 2023s, WR transfers
ICYMI IN BURNT ORANGE NATION
Texas offers Central Michigan transfer S Devonni Reed
Longhorn Republic Podcast: Diving in on the conference openers
RECRUITING ROUNDUP
247Sports: Texas to host transfer wide receiver Isaiah Neyor on official visit in January
247Sports: Life after football drew Neto Umeozulu to Texas
247Sports: Five-star OL Kelvin Banks reflects on decision to sign with Longhorns
247Sports: Our favorite players from Under Armour week
247Sports: Texas headed down home stretch of 2022 cycle with nation’s No. 5 class
Inside Texas: Recruiting: On3 four-star T.J. Shanahan on titles and recruiting
Inside Texas: Texas signees and targets at the 2022 All-American Bowl
BIG 12 BREAKDOWN
The Oklahoman: Tramel: Don’t be angry with Caleb Williams over the transfer portal
Dallas Morning News: AP college basketball poll: Baylor holds on to No. 1 ranking; Texas rises 3 spots
Our Daily Bears: Baylor Football Wins the Sugar Bowl: 12 stats that decided the game
Crimson and Cream Machine: Oklahoma Football: Williams out, Gabriel in at QB
The Smoking Musket: Taj Thweatt enters transfer portal
Wide Right & Natty Lite: Men’s Basketball Preview: Texas Tech (and bonus Baylor recap)
Bring On The Cats: Texas Bowl/LSU preview
WHAT WE’RE READING
SB Nation: The NFL’s top MVP candidates, ranked
SB Nation: We really could see an NFL game where nobody plays football and just kneels all game
SB Nation: NBA MVP candidates, ranked for 2022 so far
NEWS ACROSS THE FORTY ACRES AND BEYOND
- No. 14 Texas men’s basketball takes on the Kansas State Wildcats tonight at 6pm Central.
Game Day in the Little Apple #HookEm pic.twitter.com/BDu1reFTUb
— #14 Texas Men’s Basketball (@TexasMBB) January 4, 2022