Keller looking at OU?

Arizona State quarterback Sam Keller may be looking for a new school and OU may be a possible destination.

Keller was named ASU's starter Friday, only to have the job handed to sophomore Rudy Carpenter two days later by coach Dirk Koetter in a bizarre twist. Now Keller is considering his options.

And his father, Mike Keller, said late Monday night that the Sooners are an intriguing possibility.

"The Sooners and the University of Oklahoma were a team I originally thought of," Mike Keller said. "I would be flattered if the Sooners were interested."

The early August dismissal of Rhett Bomar has left OU thin at quarterback. Starter Paul Thompson is a senior. Behind him are two players with no Division I experience -- junior college transfer Joey Halzle and true freshman Sam Bradford.

A player like Keller could bridge the gap from this season to 2008, when Halzle or Bradford or a recruit would be more ready.

The player's father said that timing is a concern. School started at Arizona State Monday and the season opener with Northern Arizona is set for Aug. 31. School also started at OU on Monday.

"It's getting so late, Sam may stay here, swallow his pride and be the backup," Mike Keller said. "The clock is ticking against us. A decision has to be made by the end of this week, probably Thursday."

Mike Keller said that ASU has granted his son a release, should he decide to transfer, and is waiting for the Kellers to inform the school of their intentions.

Sam Keller is a senior, but does have a redshirt year remaining. If he transfers to a Division I-A school, he would have to sit out the 2006 season, before being eligible in '07.

The father said his son also has the option of staying with the Sun Devils as the backup.

Sam Keller passed for 2,165 yards and 20 touchdowns in seven games a year ago, before a thumb injury ended his season and opened the door for Carpenter to take over. In an early 35-31 loss to LSU, Keller completed 35 of 56 passes for 461 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.

In his first career start, subbing for an injured Andrew Walter, Keller was named Sun Bowl Most Valuable Player in 2004 when he threw for 370 yards and two touchdowns. in a comeback win over Purdue.

Entering preseason practices, Keller was listed as the starter and then confirmed the starter Friday, before Koetter's weekend reversal."This all came about, really blindsided us," Mike Keller said.

Said Koetter: "It's simple. I made a mistake on the quarterback situation and I'm changing my mind."

Should he decide to leave ASU, Keller may also consider Colorado. Buffaloes offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich is in his first year after coaching quarterbacks the past five seasons at ASU, where he played a role in recruiting Keller.

Nebraska has also been mentioned as a possibility.

Originally from Danville, Calif., Keller was rated the No. 9 quarterback by Rivals.com out of high school. He was named Red Zone Old Spice California State Player of Year.