Former 4-star QB Justice Hansen transferring out of Oklahoma Sooners program
On Wednesday news broke that the Oklahoma Sooners program would be down one quarterback when fall practices pickup in August after Justice Hansen announced he was leaving the program.
The 6’3”, 215 pound, quarterback was considered a 4-star recruit by multiple recruiting services during his senior season for Santa Fe High School in 2013. The Class of 2014 signee was an early enrollee but with a logjam of quality signal callers on OU’s squad Hansen has opted to try his hand at another program.
Hansen issued a statement initially released by SoonerScoop.com reading, “I have done a lot of thinking, talking with friends and family, and most importantly, praying. In the end I feel it is in my best interest to move on from the University of Oklahoma and continue my football career elsewhere. I can’t thank coach Stoops, coach Riley and all the other coaches enough for how they have treated me during my time at OU.
“I would also like to thank my teammates for pushing me and allowing me to be part of the family. The university was a great experience and I appreciate the opportunity. I had to proudly represent it. I wish nothing but the best for OU in the future. God Bless.”
The redshirt freshman had a breakout sophomore season passing for 2,917 yards with 27 touchdowns and picked up another 529 yards on the ground with eight more scores. His junior season was one of the best in the nation passing for 3,079 yards with 36 touchdowns and rushed for another 773 yards with 14 more touchdowns. Ranked as the top high school quarterback in the state of Oklahoma during his senior season, an ankle injury limited his productivity to 966 yards passing with eight touchdowns missing the final three games of the season.
Oklahoma’s offense is in the middle of a transition after former co-offensive coordinators Josh Heupel and Jay Norvell were dismissed from the Sooners’ staff. Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops hired East Carolina offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley to man the position going forward. During OU’s Red & White spring game Trevor Knight, Baker Mayfield, and Cody Thomas received the majority of snaps making Hansen the team’s fourth string quarterback.
A landing spot for Hansen has not been given yet but potential suitors could include Arizona State, Arkansas, Auburn, Kansas State, Ole Miss, Missouri, Texas A&M, and Tulsa. Each school listed offered Hansen a scholarship out of high school.
Written by Ryan Wright
Photo credit: newson6.com; No. 4 Justice Hansen