Three and out? QB Kendall enters NCAA transfer portal

NORMAN — Austin Kendall arrived at Oklahoma as a four-star quarterback who it looked like would have plenty of opportunity to earn a starting job with the Sooners.

But then Baker Mayfield gained an additional season of eligibility and Kyler Murray transferred in and became Mayfield’s eventual successor.

Now, after three years in Norman, Kendall could be headed elsewhere. Sources told The Oklahoman that Kendall had placed his name in the NCAA’s transfer portal, which allows players to make their interest in transferring known and interested coaches to contact those players.

The Tulsa World first reported Kendall’s status.

Kendall being in the portal doesn’t necessarily mean that he will transfer, though his decision needs to be made quickly.

Classes begin Monday and if Kendall attends a class, he could not transfer until the summer semester. Kendall could wait as late as next Friday to register if he decides to stay at Oklahoma.

Kendall was forced into duty as a true freshman thanks to transfers and Cody Thomas’ decision to play baseball, leaving the Sooners without another scholarship option to back up Mayfield in 2016.

The next season, Murray won the role as Mayfield’s backup and Kendall redshirted.

In 2018, Lincoln Riley insisted the quarterback battle between Murray and Kendall went down to the wire, but Murray was named the starter less than two weeks before the opener and went on to win the Heisman Trophy.

Of the quarterbacks currently on the roster, Kendall figures to be in best position to earn the starting job at the outset of next season, but the Sooners could also elect to bring in a transfer to bridge the gap between Murray and five-star prospect Spencer Rattler.

Rattler will be on the team next year but won’t arrive until the summer, making it unlikely he’d be able to get into the mix to be the starter to begin next season with Murray almost certain to leave for either professional baseball or football.

Sources also told The Oklahoman that Sooners coaches didn’t expect Murray to return to OU next season.

In addition to Kendall, Oklahoma’s only other scholarship quarterback is redshirt freshman Tanner Mordecai, who played in two games early in 2018.

The Athletic reported Friday night that Kendall was not the only Sooners player in the database.

The site said offensive linemen Tramonda Moore and Logan Roberson and safety Prentice McKinney were also listed.

None saw action for Oklahoma this season.