Oklahoma 2022 Report Card: Quarterback

Jeff Lebby and Dillon Gabriel reunited in Norman to guide Oklahoma’s new-look offense in 2022.

After spending one 12 months at UCF collectively in 2019, the duo loved good ends in 2022.

Gabriel completed second within the Massive 12 with 3,168 passing yards regardless of lacking a sport and half attributable to a concussion sustained in opposition to TCU, whereas additionally throwing 25 touchdowns and a league-low six interceptions.

He solely trailed Heisman Trophy finalist Max Duggan in passing yards within the convention, however paced all Massive 12 quarterbacks with 8.6 yards per try final 12 months.

Gabriel’s season ended because the No. 15-overall single-season passing effort in program historical past, and completed No. 18 in OU historical past in completion proportion, connecting on 62.7 p.c of his passing makes an attempt.

His function as a frontrunner was irreplaceable, particularly all through spring apply and summer season exercises.

Skilled in Lebby’s system, Gabriel performed a key function in instructing the offense to his teammates, which enabled the Sooners to run at a excessive tempo.

2022 OU Report Playing cards:

• Wednesday, Jan. 4: Defensive Ends
• Thursday, Jan. 5: Offensive Line
• Friday, Jan. 6: Defensive Tackles
• Saturday, Jan. 7: Tight Ends
• Sunday, Jan. 8: Linebackers
• Monday, Jan. 9: Huge Receivers
• Tuesday, Jan. 10: Cornerbacks
• Wednesday, Jan. 11: Operating Backs
• Thursday, Jan. 12: Safeties
• Friday, Jan. 13: Quarterbacks
• Saturday, Jan. 14: Particular Groups
• Sunday, Jan. 15: Teaching Workers

By way of non-conference play, the lefty averaged 253 passing yards per sport, however he introduced himself to Sooner followers with a 61-yard landing scamper in opposition to Nebraska on a quarterback draw to stage the sport within the first quarter.

Returning again to Norman to open Massive 12 play, Gabriel had a strong efficiency statistically.

He threw for 330 yards and 4 touchdowns, however missed Drake Stoops on a pair of key throws. The primary would have resulted in a walk-in landing, and the second killed an OU drive on fourth down in a sport the Sooners misplaced by only one rating.

Per week later, Oklahoma’s journey to Fort Value proved to be extremely regarding for all the quarterback room.

Gabriel’s inaccurate begin the sport was made worse when he was knocked out of the sport by a late hit.

Backup Davis Beville stepped in, however was unable to maneuver the offense, ending 7-of-16 for 50 passing yards.

Issues received worse in Dallas the following week.

With Gabriel unavailable, the Sooners resorted to the Wildcat bundle with Brayden Willis and Eric Grey primarily taking direct snaps in opposition to Texas.

Beville solely tried 12 passes, throwing for 38 yards and one interception, whereas he was primarily unfold out large to permit for the direct snaps to Oklahoma’s ability place gamers.

Gabriel returned in opposition to Kansas, ushering normalcy again to OU’s offense for the again half of convention play.

Dealing with off in opposition to the ranked Jayhawks, Gabriel threw for 403 yards and two touchdowns, shredding Lance Leipold’s protection.

It was the primary of two 400-yard performances in 2022, as Gabriel additionally lit up Texas Tech within the season finale.

He threw for a career-high 449 yards and 6 touchdowns in Lubbock, although the offense was unable to maintain tempo in additional time after he was briefly knocked out of the sport following a reverse cross on the primary snap of the interval.

Future teammate in Crimson Raider security Reggie Pearson crumpled Gabriel on the sideline, however the Sooner begin returned one play later to shut out the sport.

Taking part in behind a make-shift offensive line, Gabriel additionally had a pleasant displaying in his return to Orlando within the Cheez-It Bowl in opposition to Florida State.

Main a younger offense, he threw for 243 yards and a rating.

There was just about no depth on the place, as evidenced by OU’s sport plan with out Gabriel in opposition to Texas, however Gabriel completed because the Massive 12’s highest rated quarterback by Professional Soccer Focus, ending the 12 months with a 87.0 grade.

Grading the Quarterbacks:

• Hoover: B-
• Chapman: B
• Callaway: B-
• Lovelace: B

Quarterbacks GPA: 2.85 (Graded a B on a 4.0 scale)

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