LATEST UPDATES: A significant Oklahoma player has entered the transfer portal.

NORMAN — The Jackson Arnold era has officially started at Oklahoma.

Dillon Gabriel is headed to Oregon by way of the transfer portal, clearing the path for the Sooners’ talented signal caller to step into a leading role for bowl season.

Arnold isn’t a total stranger to the spotlight this year, stepping in for Gabriel for the second half of No. 12 OU’s 31-24 victory over BYU in Provo, but he’s ready to take the mantle as the leader of the offense ahead of the Alamo Bowl — especially with so much change on the horizon for the Sooners this offseason.

“I’m super excited,” Arnold said after OU’s practice on Tuesday. “It’s obviously a great opportunity for me. You know, being a freshman and getting some real experience before experiencing the SEC next year, I’m super pumped up for this opportunity.”

The former 5-star recruit completed 18-of-24 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns in regular season action this year, including the 5-of-9 performance at BYU.

He’ll have 15 practices ahead of the Dec. 28 meeting with No. 14 Arizona in the Alamo Bowl to not only get acclimated to life as QB1 at Oklahoma, but also his new co-offensive coordinators Seth Littrell and Joe Jon Finley.

Arnold said he’s built a great relationship with Finley since arriving in Norman, which was expected.

He also kicked off really well with Littrell, Arnold said, which made his decision to stay at Oklahoma easy after Jeff Lebby’s departure to Mississippi State.

“There’s always stuff to reevaluate when change happens,” Arnold said. “Obviously with Coach Lebby, the scheme he’s coaching, what he had to offer for me, but when he went to Mississippi State and especially with who we hired, I knew I was in the right spot.

“… I’ve been close with Coach Littrell since he got here, a constant communication since he’s got here. He’s helped me develop as a player, even while not in the OC role. It’s been super great to get to know him and I’m super happy he’s in the OC role now.”

Though Gabriel was one of the unquestioned leaders of the offense and the entire team the past two seasons, there’s plenty of confidence inside OU’s locker room about the level of play Arnold will deliver.

“He’s athletic. He can run the ball,” Oklahoma right guard McKade Mettauer said. “He’s got incredible arm strength and accuracy, we saw that in the BYU game. So I think this team will be very well prepared for next season with him at the helm.

“… He’s confident… He worked and waited for his opportunity… He’s gonna do the job. Nobody’s worried about anything from the quarterback position.”