What was already a forgotten move for the Oklahoma Sooners no longer matters.
247Sports reported Wednesday that transfer quarterback Gavin Frakes signed with Northwestern after committing to the Sooners out of the transfer portal in May. Parker Thune of Rivals had reported Frakes' move to OU, but the Sooners never actually announced or confirmed the addition.
Gavin Frakes signs with Northwestern after commitment to Sooners
It would have been a homecoming for Frakes, who's from nearby Norman North High School. He started just one season in high school, though, so drew little interest before beginning his college career at New Mexico State in 2022.
Despite the lack of experience, Frakes still immediately started five games for New Mexico State as a freshman. He threw for 736 yards and four touchdowns with 143 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. However, Frakes then eventually lost the starting job to future Vanderbilt legend Diego Pavia. Frakes and Pavia both transferred from New Mexico State after the 2023 season, during which Frakes never saw the field.
Frakes then went to Virginia, where he never threw a pass during his one season with the Cavaliers. He then entered the portal again in April before reportedly committing to OU a month later.
With Frakes, the Sooners would have had five quarterbacks on their roster and four had experience as a starter in college. However, Frakes hasn't thrown a pass in a game in two years despite having five starts under his belt.
The Sooners still have four quarterbacks for the 2025 season. Washington State transfer John Mateer is a lock to be QB1 and has Heisman Trophy aspirations. Sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr., who started four games as a freshman last season for OU, will likely be Mateer's backup.
OU also has Mercer transfer Whitt Newbauer and incoming freshman Jett Niu, who is the only quarterback on the roster without a college start.
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