Why Mississippi State isn't as good of a fit for Dillon Gabriel as it seems

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel will be one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the transfer portal this cycle, but where he could land remains a bit up in the air early on.

One possible destination would figure to be Mississippi State, where Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby just became the head coach.

Gabriel had a very successful season under Lebby in 2023, but are the Bulldogs a real option as a potential transfer destination?

“I don’t think that’s going to happen,” SoonerScoop’s George Stoia III said on the Andy Staples On3 show. “I think Dillon knows that that’s a project down in Starkville, whereas he can got to an Oregon or Ohio State or USC and plug right into a team that can compete, one, for a national title and, two, has the weapons around him. Imagine him going to Ohio State with the type of wide receivers that they have there and the type of offense that they run.”

Dillon Gabriel certainly had some quality receivers at Oklahoma, with Drake Stoops, Nic Anderson and Jalil Farooq combining for 150 catches for 2,242 yards and 21 touchdowns.

The veteran quarterback, who previously suited up for UCF before transferring to Oklahoma, finished his season with 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns, against just six interceptions. He also ran for 373 yards and 12 touchdowns, one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country.

So why not follow the coordinator that made all that possible?

“He’s obviously very comfortable with Jeff and had a great year this year, but the reality is at Mississippi State that’s a program that if they get to bowl eligible that’s a big win next year, and I think Dillon has bigger aspirations than that,” Stoia said.

There’s one other factor at play, too. Dillon Gabriel’s the kind of quarterback that can command some significant NIL money as one of the best options in the transfer portal, regardless of position.

“I also don’t know what Mississippi State’s NIL situation is, whereas again, an Oregon, Ohio State, USC, some of those bigger programs are going to be able to pay up immediately,” Stoia explained.