For years, the Oklahoma Sooners had one of many stronger quarterback conditions within the nation. Since Bob Stoops introduced the Air-Raid offense to Norman with him, then through the Lincoln Riley period, the Sooners have had nice quarterback play for a lot of the final 25 years.
Jeff Lebby’s first yr in Norman stored the offensive prowess heading in the right direction, because the Sooners averaged 32.8 factors per recreation. Although it wasn’t with out its points in 2022, the Sooners had one of many higher quarterbacks within the Massive 12 final season with Dillon Gabriel Throw five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold into the combo, and the Sooners have among the finest quarterbacks conditions within the nation heading into 2023.
Jesse Simonton of On3 Sports activities ranked the highest quarterback rooms within the nation, and the depth chart headlined by Dillon Gabriel, Jackson Arnold, and Davis Beville got here in at No. 5 general.
Whereas Brent Venables’ prime offseason precedence is to repair the Sooners’ leaky protection, Oklahoma ought to really feel actually good about its two QB choices getting into 2023.
Former UCF switch Dillion Gabriel is again for a second season in Norman after throwing for over 3,100 yards and 25 touchdowns final season, however the veteran is being pushed by 5-star freshman Jackson Arnold, who some think about some of the ready-made QBs in a loaded 2023 class. Both method, Venables has two good choices getting into a pivotal fall for the Sooners. – Simonton, On3 Sports activities
The Sooners got here in behind USC, LSU, Texas, and North Carolina in Simonton’s rankings. One can perceive the Trojans coming in at No. 1 as they return Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and herald Malachi Nelson, a highly-regarded five-star quarterback within the 2024 class.
Nonetheless, that’s the one one which’s an apparent alternative.
LSU has a superb quarterback room headlined by Jayden Daniels, however a lot of the Tigers’ success stemmed from elite defensive play and Daniels capability to guard the soccer. At Texas, Quinn Ewers had a stable season, however a lot of his projection relies on the pure capability, which has but to translate to elite performances on the soccer subject. North Carolina will get a lift merely due to Drake Maye. If the Tar Heels endure an damage to Maye, who many are projecting because the No. 2 quarterback within the 2024 NFL draft class, as Simonton places it, “UNC is likely to be screwed.”
No matter the place you rank them, the Sooners’ quarterback state of affairs is in nice arms with Dillon Gabriel and Jackson Arnold.
Gabriel is among the most skilled gamers on the place with 38 begins beneath his belt. Oklahoma must be higher on third down and within the crimson zone, but when they’ll try this, they’ll be among the finest offenses within the nation. Gabriel is among the highest-graded quarterbacks returning for 2023, based on Professional Soccer Focus, and got here in at No. 2 in Faculty Sports activities Wire’s Massive 12 quarterback rankings.
Jackson Arnold had an unimaginable two-year run at Denton Guyer throughout his junior and senior seasons, parlaying that into five-star score. He received the Elite 11 MVP and the Gatorade Nationwide Participant of the 12 months award. Although he may not play a lot in 2023 if Gabriel stays wholesome, he’s the long run on the place for the Oklahoma Sooners. And that future appears to be like brilliant with Arnold and 2024 four-star quarterback Michael Hawkins and 2025 four-star quarterback Kevin Sperry coming down the road.
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