Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Six players pivotal to Sooners’ success in 2022

By Chip Rouse

NORMAN, OK - APRIL 23: The Oklahoma Sooners line up to prepare for the second half of their spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on April 23, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - APRIL 23: The Oklahoma Sooners line up to prepare for the second half of their spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on April 23, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Apr 23, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws a pass during the spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws a pass during the spring game at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

QB Dillon Gabriel

Perhaps another obvious choice insofar as critical contributors to the Sooners’ success this season is new starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who comes to OU after three previous seasons at UCF and a near transfer signing with UCLA. New Sooner offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby was able to snatch Gabriel away from UCLA, literally at the last minute, and get him to commit to Oklahoma.

The quarterback position at OU, like in every other championship caliber program, is highly dependent on smart and highly efficient quarterback play. Gabriel provides both of those qualities and is a proven winner. He played two full seasons at UCF (2019 and 2020). His 2021 season was cut short after three games by a season-ending injury.

His freshman season, in 2019, operated the UCF offense led by offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby (now at Oklahoma). That season, UCF ranked second among all FBS teams, averaging 540.5 yards of total offense. While at UCF, Gabriel threw for over 8,000 yards and 70 touchdowns with only 14 interceptions. He is a great fit at the right time in OU’s reworked offensive scheme brought in by Lebby.

As the old saying goes, as Gabriel goes this season, so will the Sooners. He not only accepts the pressure he will have at a high-expectation program like Oklahoma, he relishes it.

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