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Oklahoma football: Five New Year’s priorities for Sooner football in 2022

By Chip Rouse

Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; A general view of the Capitol One and College Football Playoff (CFP) logo on the field during the Rose Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; A general view of the Capitol One and College Football Playoff (CFP) logo on the field during the Rose Bowl between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2021; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Dillon Gabriel (11) throws a pass against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at Cardinal Stadium. Louisville defeated Central Florida 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2021; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; UCF Knights quarterback Dillon Gabriel (11) throws a pass against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at Cardinal Stadium. Louisville defeated Central Florida 42-35. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

Introducing another new OU starting quarterback

When you lose a pair of five-star, No. 1 quarterback recruits off the same team, you expect there to be an adjustment period. The Sooners were fortunate to be able to pick up a quarterback with the experience and talent level of Dillon Gabriel from the transfer portal. Former OU signal-caller Caleb Williams was probably the best quarterback available in the portal. Gabriel might have been the next best QB available.

The transition may not be as difficult as some would think because Gabriel and new Sooner offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby were together in 2019 at UCF. Lebby was the one who recruited Gabriel and coached him his freshman season at UCF. The following season Gabriel led the country in passing offense per game and was second in total offense. In two-plus seasons at UCF, he threw for over 8,000 yards and 70 touchdowns.

Gabriel may not be a Heisman contender for the Sooners, but he definitely is experienced and talented enough to lead a high-scoring and highly productive OU offense, especially with the all the talented weapons he will have around him.

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