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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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Big 12 Quarterback Competition

Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up ahead of the Longhorn’s Orange and White spring football game in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Saturday, April 15, 2023.Texas Longhorns Orange And White Spring Game Sed 201
Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up ahead of the Longhorn’s Orange and White spring football game in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Saturday, April 15, 2023.Texas Longhorns Orange And White Spring Game Sed 201 /

The first four factors have said how Gabriel will make a Big-12 push. This final point examines who he has to compete for the All-Big-12 title with. Gabriel could have a career year in every category and come up short of an All-Conference award if another quarterback in the Big 12 has a better year than him. That shouldn’t happen. Let’s look at the three most likely competitors Gabriel has to contend with for the All-Big-12 quarterback spot.

Nov 25, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) throws a pass during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) throws a pass during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /

Quinn Ewers – Texas

Ewers vs. Gabriel (2022)

  • Passing Yards: Ewers (2,177) – Gabriel (3,168) – Advantage Gabriel
  • Passing Touchdowns: Ewers (15) – Gabriel (25) – Advantage Gabriel
  • Rushing Yards & TDS: Ewers (-52 yrds & 1 TD) – Gabriel ( 315 yrds & 6 TD) – Advantage Gabriel
  • QBR: Ewers (132.6) – Gabriel (154.4) – Advantage Gabriel
  • Completion Percentage: Ewers (58.1%) – Gabriel (62.7%) – Advantage Gabriel

Don’t get me wrong, Ewers is a talented quarterback and deserves respect. He can torch your defense, and he will be improved in 2023; however, so will Gabriel.

Another factor Ewers has is his backup. If you think Jackson Arnold puts pressure on Dillon Gabriel for his job, that’s got nothing on Texas’ quarterback situation. The highest-rated high school player in the entire 2023 recruiting class backs up Quinn Ewers. Quarterback Arch Manning is Ewers’s backup, and every time Ewers has an incompletion, Longhorn Nation will be chanting, “Man-ning, Man-ning!”. Ewers is under tremendous pressure. Not to mention, perhaps the most talented quarterback on the Longhorns roster is 3rd stringer, Maalik Murphy…

Nov 19, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) throws a pass during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2022; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels (6) throws a pass during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

Jalon Daniels – Kansas

Daniels vs. Gabriel (2022)

  • Passing Yards: Daniels (2,014) – Gabriel (3,168) – Advantage Gabriel
  • Passing Touchdowns: Daniels (18) – Gabriel  (25) – Advantage Gabriel
  • Rushing Yards & TDS: Daniels (419 yrds & 7 TDs) – Gabriel ( 315 yrds & 6 TD) – Advantage Daniels
  • QBR: Daniels (162.0) – Gabriel (154.4) – Advantage Daniels 
  • Completion Percentage: Daniels (66.1%) – Gabriel  (62.7%) – Advantage Daniels 

Jalon Daniels had good stats in 2022 but only saw action in nine games. Against Iowa State and TCU, he only threw a combined 24 passes. He beat Dillon in three categories because he played a lot less than Gabriel did in 2022.

Daniels is a talented and athletic quarterback. He’s returning to Kansas for his senior season. He is primed to be a front-runner as the best quarterback in the conference. He’s well-coached and makes good decisions. Suppose there is a quarterback controversy in Texas, which I am sure there will be. In that case, I will look for Daniels to be Gabriel’s tightest competition for the All-Big-12 quarterback position.

The one significant advantage Gabriel has over Daniels is roster talent. Gabriel’s offensive roster is much more talented than Daniel’s. The Sooner offense has more playmakers, speed, and a much better offensive line. It’s a team game, and Gabriel has the better team.

Dec 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) throws during the first quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2022; Arlington, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) throws during the first quarter against the TCU Horned Frogs at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Will Howard – Kansas State

I won’t compare the 2022 season statistics here because Howard took over the Kansas State job on October 22nd of last season against TCU. Besides RB Duece Vaugh, Howard was the main reason the Wildcats won the 2022 Big 12 championship. He’s a dynamic playmaker and a model of efficiency at the quarterback position. He makes good decisions with the football and shows good pocket presence.

In the 2022 Big 12 title game against TCU, Howard went 18 for 32 for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns with no interceptions.

Howard is also massive. 6’5” – 235 pounds is hard to bring down. The Kansas State roster is less talented than it was in 2022, but Howard will still be a contender.

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