Oklahoma transitioned to a brand new period in 2022 with head coach Brent Venables taking on for Lincoln Riley, who left for USC. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel transferred in from UCF and changed the now-Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams. After an harm riddled 2021, Gabriel could possibly be simply what the Sooners want and his former head coach, Josh Heupel, is assured. Heupel coached Gabriel at UCF earlier than departing for Tennessee previous to the 2021 marketing campaign, however noticed one of the best of the lefty sign caller.
“Great, great leader, great work habits,” Heupel mentioned at SEC Media Days. “Going to be so consistent inside the building. Guy that is a true freshman, true sophomore, led the country in passing over those two years. They’re getting a great quarterback, no doubt about it.”
Gabriel performed simply three video games final season resulting from harm however was productive in his restricted time. He completed with 814 yards and 9 touchdowns to 3 interceptions, plus a 68.6% completion fee. The 2020 season is the place he actually shined after a strong freshman season in 2019 taking on for McKenzie Milton. Gabriel accomplished 60% of his passes for 3,570 yards and 32 touchdowns to 4 interceptions.
Now having a house in Oklahoma, Gabriel is targeted on — and prepared for — the season.
“I’m just focused on representing this university, my coaches, my teammates with class, respect, confidence and humility,” Gabriel said. “You know, and throwing a bunch of touchdowns and scoring a bunch of points while doing it. While winning a bunch of games. So that’s my main focus. I know the rest will take care of itself.”
With offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, the Sooners’ offense may actually take off this fall. Lebby joined Venables’ teaching employees, from Ole Miss.
“So coach Lebby, obviously was at Ole Miss, took that visit,” Gabriel mentioned. “He ends up getting the job at Oklahoma and his circumstances were different at the time. So I had to prepare, I was going elsewhere, which I did. And then as that slowly started to play out, he called me, said, ‘Let’s get you out to Norman, Oklahoma,’ and once the opportunity presented itself it was a no-brainer.”
Gabriel was requested if he sees his time with the Sooners as a one-year dedication or a long-term factor.
“I think God’s got a plan,” Gabriel mentioned. “I think, just going on and how everything transpired last year, I’ve realized I got no control in any of how this plays out. So I’m just, like I said, taking it day by day and loving every second of it.”
Mariah Guzman contributed to this report
story by The Texas Tribune Source link