3 schools listed as early favorites to land Dillon Gabriel as transfer

Dillon Gabriel is in the transfer portal looking to cash in one more time.

Gabriel, who played quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2022 and 2023, has entered the transfer portal. The senior quarterback is expected to be courted by many schools, and there are already a few favorites listed to land him.

247 Sports’ Pete Nakos reported on Monday that Mississippi State, Oregon and USC are the early schools to watch for the quarterback.

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel has officially entered the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.

Early schools to watch for Gabriel will be Mississippi State, Oregon and USC, sources tell On3. https://t.co/FYtzckydJo pic.twitter.com/Ag4a12jHgG

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 4, 2023

Gabriel spent his first three seasons with UCF (2019-2021) and then transferred to Oklahoma in 2022. He initially committed to UCLA before later switching to Oklahoma, for whom he starred this season.

Gabriel passed for 3,660 yards, 30 touchdowns and 6 interceptions this season. He also rushed for 373 yards and 12 TDs. Gabriel’s Sooners went 10-2, with losses at Kansas and at Oklahoma State.

Gabriel may look to go to the highest bidder. Oregon needs a replacement or Bo Nix, who was a transfer from Auburn and developed into a Heisman Trophy contender with the Ducks. USC needs a replacement for Caleb Williams, who transferred from Oklahoma to follow Lincoln Riley to Los Angeles. Williams is expected to enter the NFL draft.

Mississippi State is also a team to watch. Their new head coach is Jeff Lebby, who was Gabriel’s offensive coordinator at Oklahoma.

Though Gabriel has already played four full seasons, he still has eligibility left thanks to the extra COVID year in 2020. He also redshirted in 2021, when he missed most of the season due to a broken clavicle.