Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams announced earlier today that he is entering the transfer portal after just one year with the team, but staying with the Sooners will ‘definitely be an option’. Williams, who was a true freshman this past season at Oklahoma, announced his decision early Monday evening. He took to Twitter to share the news:
“I think we all come to college to find our own path and prepare for the future. I came to Oklahoma with a game plan, but with all of the recent changes, I need to figure out what is the right path for me moving forward”
@CALEBcsw/Twitter
The big change that factored into Williams’ decision, of course, was the departure of former Sooners Head Coach Lincoln Riley. Riley took his coaching talents to Los Angeles to become the new Head Coach at USC. Upon arriving at Oklahoma on June 7th, 2017, Riley took them to four Big 12 Conference Titles along with three college football playoffs and a New Year’s Six Bowl.
In response to Riley heading to USC, Oklahoma hired Brent Venables, who was Clemson’s defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. Venables had been with Clemson for a while and brought along Clemson defensive analyst Ted Roof to be Oklahoma’s new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Though it seems like a fantastic staff to try to fill the shoes of Lincoln Riley & co, it still wasn’t enough to get Williams to stay.
Williams’ father, Carl Williams, told Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports that Caleb’s recruitment process is still ‘wide open’ and that he ‘doesn’t have a destination’. Carl told Thamel that ‘preparing his son to be an NFL quarterback is going to be the most important factor’.
“Professional development. We want Caleb to be ready to play when he becomes a pro. You go to college to get prepared for your career. His chosen career path is professional football. We want him to be prepared for when that time comes.”
Carl Williams via @PeteThamel/Twitter
Staying at Oklahoma could still be an option, but ever since he announced that he is entering the portal, he has been linked with the Georgia Bulldogs, a powerhouse program that almost always contends for a championship.
According to Blake Brockermeyer of 24/7 Sports, Georgia seems to be the heavy favorite for Williams:
“Hearing from multiple sources [that] Georgia is the top landing spot unless they get outbid”
Blake Brockermeyer/24/7 Sports
