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Oklahoma football: Top 5 reasons Dillon Gabriel will be an All Big-12 QB in 2023

By Brandon Self

NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners prepares for a game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 52-42. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - OCTOBER 15: Quarterback Dillon Gabriel #8 of the Oklahoma Sooners prepares for a game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 52-42. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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High Caliber Offensive Line

The 2022 Sooners offensive line finished 69th overall in the country in sacks given up per game. The current Sooners offensive line will finish in the top-25 ratings in 2023 for three reasons.

LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: Offensive lineman Tyler Guyton #60 of the Oklahoma Sooners lines up during the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 26: Offensive lineman Tyler Guyton #60 of the Oklahoma Sooners lines up during the first half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Tyler Guyton

Tyler Guyton – Guyton is, in my opinion, the best football player on the 2023 Oklahoma Sooners Football team… the entire TEAM. He’s a first-round-rated tackle that will lead the conference in pass protection efficiency in 2023. The reason he’s so important? He’s Gabriel’s blindside protector. Most elite-level tackles play left tackle to protect right-handed quarterbacks blindside. The Sooners have the luxury of having a highly-rated left tackle in Walter Rouse, who does not have to protect a blindside. Guyton’s job is to protect the blindside, which is precisely what benefits the Sooners the most.

Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) and Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Walter Rouse (75) during the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) and Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Walter Rouse (75) during the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

Experience Mixed with Younger Talent

The line mixes experience with youthful talent. Center Andrew Raym returns to the Sooners’ offensive line in 2023, bringing tons of experience with him. Stanford transfer Walter Rouse looks slated to start at left tackle next to the younger Savion Byrd. McKade Mettauer (2022 starting left guard) has shifted to the right side to block next to Guyton. The perfect combination of talent and experience will be put on the field in 2023.

Nov 12, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Andrew Raym (73) during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Andrew Raym (73) during the first quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Increased O-Line Depth

The offensive line depth is good. The Sooners have excellent depth at tackle in Jacob Sexton and newcomer Cayden Green. Good interior depth in Sexton, newcomer Joshua Bates, and App. State transfer Troy Everett. When shifts and injuries occur in 2023, the Sooners’ offensive line will be able to replace starters with starting-level talent.

More protection for Gabriel means obviously better results. The increased offensive line caliber/depth in 2023 will allow Gabriel more time to make throws to the youthful Sooner receiving corps. I’m especially excited for Guyton, Byrd, and Green. So is Dillon Gabriel, I’m sure.

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