Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams enters transfer portal, return to Sooners possible

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Caleb Williams is entering the transfer portal to see what opportunities exist at other universities, he said Monday in a statement.

"According to NCAA rules, as a student-athlete, the only way I can speak with other schools and see who may offer the best preparation and development for my future career is by entering the portal," Williams wrote, in part. "Staying at OU will definitely be an option as I begin this process."

Williams became the Sooners' starting quarterback during his freshman season with the team after he took over for Spencer Rattler during an October 2021 game against the Texas Longhorns. Williams finished his first year at Oklahoma with 21 passing touchdowns and four interceptions. He also added an additional six rushing touchdowns. Last week, he threw three touchdown passes in a 47-32 win against Oregon in the Alamo Bowl.

Shortly after Oklahoma's regular season ended with a 37-33 loss to Oklahoma State, Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley left to become head coach of the USC Trojans. Rattler also left Oklahoma, announcing in December that he's transferring to South Carolina.

Just one year ago, Williams was one of the top recruits in the high school class of 2021. He committed to Oklahoma on July 4, 2020, choosing the school over his other two finalists, LSU and Maryland.