Oklahoma QB Drew Allen weighing options, including possible transfer
Published: 1/25/2013 12:37 PM
Last Modified: 1/25/2013 3:05 PM
Drew Allen, by all reports from teammates to head coach Bob Stoops, is well-liked within the Oklahoma football program.
But there is little surprise about Friday’s SoonerScoop.com report that the backup quarterback may be searching for a new school to complete his eligibility.
Allen, a communications major, is scheduled to graduate in May. He would have one year of eligibility remaining and could be eligible immediately at a FBS school under certain NCAA guidelines, which includes a one-time exemption for student-athletes entering another school’s graduate program.
An Oklahoma spokesman said Allen had yet to formally file for a release on Friday morning.
Allen released the following via Twitter: "For the record: I have a permission to contact form that allows me to look around, talk to other schools. Doesn't mean I am transferring yet ... To be honest, I appreciate the support more than you'll ever know. It shows me the reason why OU is such a great place."
Stoops was asked two weeks earlier if Allen would stay at OU or compete with Blake Bell, Kendal Thompson and Trevor Knight for the vacant quarterback spot.
“I don’t know. I’m sure that’s something he’ll talk to coach (Josh) Heupel about because I know ... we’ll see. That’s something I’m sure they’ll discuss,” Stoops said.
Allen had limited action in a dozen games over the past three seasons. The San Antonio native is 18-of-30 for 160 yards with no touchdown passes or interceptions.
Allen was the Sooners’ backup quarterback until the emergence of Bell in 2011. Before the 2012 season, Stoops announced Bell as the backup quarterback, which moved Allen to third string.
Stoops said “everybody likes Drew.”
“Drew’s a great kid,” Stoops added. “He’s done everything right. He’s been supportive, even of Blake, even though the year. You can see, they’ll pal around together. Our quarterbacks have always been like that; even though they’re competitive, they feel, I guess, like they’ve been treated fairly, so it isn’t his fault.
“In the end, so whatever he decides to do, we’re for him, for those reasons. But I’m not sitting here saying that I’m looking for him to (transfer). But if he were to do it, he’s gonna get everybody’s support here because of the teammate and the hard work he’s put in.”
Written by
Eric Bailey
Sports Writer
