Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel Lands on O'Brien, Unitas Lists

The Sooners' QB is among the top quarterbacks in the nation in numerous categories and has led OU to a 7-1 record heading into this week's Bedlam showdown.

By Oklahoma Media Relations

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been named to the Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2023 and a Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top-10 Finalist, it was announced Tuesday.

As a member of the 35-player Davey O’Brien QB Class, Gabriel is an official candidate for the 2023 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, which will be presented on Dec. 8.

The Golden Arm Award selection committee selected the remaining nominees after eight weeks of play based on player performance on and off the field. Candidates must be a college senior or fourth-year junior on schedule to graduate with their class.

A product of Mililani, Hawaii, Gabriel ranks in the top 10 nationally in in points responsible for per game (20.2; third), total offense (324.5 yards per game; fifth), pass completion percentage (.714; eighth), passing efficiency rating (169.6; ninth) and passing touchdowns (19; 10th). He also leads the Big 12 in passing offense (278.8 ypg; 13th nationally) and yards per pass attempt (9.1; 14th nationally).

Through eight games this season, Gabriel has accounted for 27 total touchdowns and just five turnovers (four interceptions and one fumble). He has completed 180 of 252 pass attempts (71.4%) for 2,302 yards and 19 touchdowns, and has rushed for 294 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns. He set a school record with his 90.3% completion percentage (28 of 31) while passing for 421 yards and five touchdowns at Tulsa on Sept. 16. Against Texas on Oct. 7, he rushed for a career-high 113 yards and a score and led a 75-yard drive in 1:02 to throw the game-winning touchdown pass with 15 seconds remaining.

Gabriel has started all 20 of his games over the last two season at Oklahoma, completing 410 of 619 passes (66%) for 5,470 yards and 44 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and rushing 156 times for 611 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has started 45 of his 46 career games between OU and UCF, and has completed 964 of 1,532 passes (63%) for 13,507 yards and 114 touchdowns and rushed for 983 yards and 22 scores. Gabriel is tied with former Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel for 15th on the FB career passing touchdowns chart. He ranks first nationally in passing yards since the start of the 2019 season (Oregon’s Bo Nix ranks second with 13,180 yards, in nine more games).

The 16 semifinalists for the Davey O’Brien Award will be announced Nov. 14. The semifinalists will be chosen based on voting from the Davey O’Brien national selection committee as well as bonus ballots awarded from the first round of the fan vote. The fan vote will take place on the award’s social media platforms. Fans can vote by “liking” the original Davey O’Brien Award post highlighting their quarterback. The first round of balloting is open now until Friday at noon.

The 2023 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner will be presented the Golden Arm Award trophy by The Johnny Unitas Educational Foundation President, John Unitas Jr., as well as other notable attendees at the Golden Arm Award banquet and celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Md., on Thurs., Dec. 7, 2023.

No. 10/11 Oklahoma plays at Oklahoma State Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla. Kickoff for Bedlam is set for 2:30 p.m. and the game will be televised by ABC.