Why OU Coaches Like What They See in Dillon Gabriel

The returning starter and fifth-year senior will be counted on to help improve the Sooners' offensive efficiency this year.

By Tim Willert

NORMAN — True freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold is getting a lot of attention as fall training camp gets underway for the Oklahoma Sooners. But incumbent signal caller Dillon Gabriel showed Friday that he has the eye of coach Brent Venables.

Venables said Gabriel, a redshirt senior, stood out on the second day of camp.

"Dillon had some really nice plays," Venables said following the second day of practice. "Dillon had a couple of really, really well-placed balls, you know, in the red zone where we've got to get better."

Last season, Gabriel threw for 3,163 yards and 25 touchdowns with only six interceptions in 366 attempts. He also ran for 461 yards rand six touchdowns.

The Mililani, HI, native showed off his big-play ability, throwing a 78-yard touchdown pass in a loss to Texas Tech and running for 61 yards and a score in a win over Nebraska.

Much will be expected from Gabriel this season, according to offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who said Gabriel will likely be a Top-10 passer in the history of college football before he's done.

"He's going to have a ton of production. He's had a bunch of production," Lebby said this week during OU Media Day. "He's got to play better. I've got to call it better, we've said that. But that guy allows you to put a lot on the entire unit because he's played a whole bunch of ball."

Production aside, Lebby is seeking greater efficiency on offense, particularly on third and fourth down, and is counting on Gabriel to provide leadership.

"You can put more on Dillon," Lebby said. "He's got to have a big voice and he's got to use that voice when it's needed."

Jackson, meanwhile, has impressed coaches with his level of production so far. On Friday, the 5-star recruit from Denton, TX, made some impressive throws, including a perfectly placed wheel route to running back Tawee Walker down the right sideline.

"He's been fantastic," Venables said. "He shows up everyday like a guy that's played a lot of ball and knows how to compete and respond and all those things."

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