OU quarterback Kendal Thompson announced his intention to transfer on Tuesday night via Twitter.
He will graduate in May from OU before transferring to another school.
“Enjoyed the 3 years that I spent at OU and appreciate all the support and love that this program has shown me,” Thompson said on Twitter. “But I believe that God has another path in store for me. I will be graduating in May, and transferring to play at another college next season. #WalkByFaithNotBySight.”
This move will leave Thompson two years of eligibility because of NCAA regulations for graduates.
Thompson has been the dark-horse candidate in a three-man quarterback race this season. After breaking his foot at the start of fall camp, Thompson was taken out of the race, and redshirt freshman Trevor Knight was giving the starting job.
After injuries and mistakes by both Knight and junior quarterback Blake Bell, many fans started calling for more playing time for Thompson.
He made his debut against Iowa State where he completed two of four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown and rushed twice for 21 yards.
He also came off the bench for an injured Knight against Oklahoma State. He competed two of nine passes for 17 yards, threw an interception and rushed twice for -1 yard.
He was then pulled in favor of Bell, who led the Sooners to a Bedlam victory.
With the news that former Texas Tech quarterback Baker Mayfield intends to walk onto the OU football team after a year, many were starting to wonder if the Sooner quarterback roster was looking a little full.
There are currently four quarterbacks on scholarship for OU — Knight, Bell, Thompson and freshman Cody Thomas. Four-star recruit Justice Hansen has also enrolled early at OU to join the quarterback squad. That makes five, and Mayfield will eventually make six.
It’s easy to see how Thompson would feel that there are just too many cooks in the kitchen.
In addition, Thompson was arrested in May 2013 for public intoxication.
Thompson is the son of former OU quarterback Charles Thompson, who saw his rise under the coaching of Barry Switzer. Charles is possibly most famous for his cover of Sports Illustrated following his arrest for dealing cocaine.
Charles has been outspoken advocate for his son this season, even calling a local radio station after a game in support of his son.
As things stand currently, Thompson will transfer in May and coach Bob Stoops has implied that Bell may see a position change over to tight end.
It seems Knight will keep his starting job after his MVP performance at the Sugar Bowl.
