How Oklahoma quarterback depth will allow Dillon Gabriel to play ‘free’
Few things have changed for Dillon Gabriel since the last time he put on an Oklahoma uniform.
Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby is back and the offense will likely be similar to what it looked like a year ago. But the biggest difference for Gabriel and the Oklahoma offense this season is the Sooners actually have some depth at quarterback. Last season, as Oklahoma fans are acutely aware, there was virtually no depth behind Gabriel. That was more than apparent when Gabriel left the TCU game with a concussion and missed the Texas game, in which backup Davis Beville was thrown into a fire he was clearly not ready for.
Enter five-star freshman Jackson Arnold. While Arnold won’t be the starter this season, despite some fans wanting him to be, his availability is invaluable for the Sooners. It’s also clear he’s going to get some playing time as a freshman, being the man in waiting. But most importantly, he allows Oklahoma and Gabriel to play a little more “free” according to Lebby.
“I think we’ll try to do a great job of taking hits off of him just like we always have,” Lebby said. “We talk about hits on the quarterback as much as anything else really. Dillon’s going to play free. He’s going to have the ability to go play free. There’s going to be some things that we’ll do differently for sure but I like where he’s at from just being able to run the football and do the things that we want him to do throughout.”
Last season, it was clear Oklahoma was cautious with Gabriel. It was rare that Lebby drew up designed quarterback runs, despite Gabriel being a more than capable runner. That could change this season.
“In general, you can do more when you’ve got a lot of guys being able to contribute,” Gabriel said. “I think that just comes together being in year 2 and everyone knowing the system just allows you to go more in-depth in what you already have and trying some new things.”
Expectations are high for Gabriel this season. And they should be, with this being his second season at Oklahoma and his fifth playing college football. He was a roller coaster at times last year, showing flashes of being great and then struggling at times with accuracy and playmaking in pivotal moments.
But there seems to be a feeling inside the program that Gabriel can have a big final season in Norman.
“Obviously feel great about Dillon,” Lebby said. “He’s had a great camp. He’s a guy that’s started 36 games. And he’s had a ton of production. So I’m looking for him to be dominant and play really really well at a championship level. Expect that. He expects that… He’s got a great edge about him right now. Again, he’s incredibly confident and it’s all about the preparation. That’s what it’s come from.
“He’s worked incredibly hard. He’s put in a ton of time. And he’s got an incredible amount of respect within our locker room, with our staff, with his teammates. So again excited for him to have the opportunity to walk out there Saturday morning and go play his butt off.”
Gabriel feels the same way and is approaching this season as if he has something to prove.
“At the end of the day, it’s a game of winning and a game of doing. That’s what I’m set out to do. And with the guys we got it’s something we’re super focused on and it’s been an emphasis for sure – winning the day, winning the rep, whatever it is. Just finding a way to win. That’s my main focus.”
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