Oklahoma football: Dillon Gabriel ranks 10th nationally in CBS Sports’ QB rankings
By Chip Rouse
Oklahoma football will have a lot of new faces on the roster and at some key positions next fall, but that will not be the case at the most important position, quarterback, where Dillon Gabriel is back for another season with the Sooners.
As John Williams of Sooners Wire, a website affiliated with the USA Today network, writes, “Gabriel’s return provides the Sooners with continuity at the game’s most important position. Having someone who’s been in Norman for a year now, with a better understanding of the offense, will help Oklahoma transition new players into key roles.”
Gabriel is the most productive of the returning Big 12 quarterbacks in 2023, and CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli ranks the Sooners’ starting QB as the 10th best nationally heading into the 2023 campaign.
Gabriel had a strong first season in Norman despite the team’s disappointing 6-7 season. He completed 63 percent of his pass attempts for 3,168 yards and 25 touchdowns with just six interceptions. Only TCU’s Max Duggan had more passing yards and touchdown passes than Gabriel among Big 12 quarterbacks in the 2022 season.
Former OU quarterback and reigning Heisman winner Caleb Williams (USC) ranks No. 1 on Fornelli’s list, followed by Michael Phenix (Washington), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jordan Travis (Florida State) and Bo Nix (Oregon). Gabriel is the only Big 12 quarterback ranked in the top 10.
Quinn Ewers of Texas and former Sooner Spencer Rattler were named as honorable mention.
Oklahoma may not fully return to championship level in Brent Venables’ second season as head coach, but they should be a lot better than 2022, the Sooners’ first losing season in nearly a quarter century. Four of OU’s seven losses in 2022 were by three or fewer points. Moreover, the Sooners were 1=4 when the defense allowed more than 30 points and 6-1 when the opponent scored fewer than 30 points.
Having Gabriel back for another season leading Jeff Lebby’s OU offense has to be a plus. It also enables five-star QB recruit Jackson Arnold the opportunity to learn the Sooner system and develop under Gabriel’s leadership while he grooms for the starting role in 2024