Dillon Gabriel details the importance of Oklahoma tight end Brayden Willis

Dillon Gabriel knows how important it is to have a great tight end to compliment the quarterback, and he couldn’t be happier to have Brayden Willis as his.

As he readies for his first season with the Sooners, Willis has been essential to his growth at Oklahoma. Speaking with the media, Gabriel detailed the importance of the Sooners tight end to his game.

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“He’s a fierce competitor,” started Gabriel. “He’s just a stud in every area of his life. Very calm. Also, when he speaks, everyone listens. So you’ve got to have a guy like that. It takes more that one guy, for sure.

“Having a guy like Brayden, who’s been here, who’s put in the time and the work and the effort every year, just seeing his growth in only this year, I can only imagine how far he’s come from his freshman year.”

Continuing, Gabriel has watched Willis grow throughout the summer, so he can only imagine how far along he is from the beginning of his time with Oklahoma.

“I think just his sense of urgency, every single day. He doesn’t take one day lightly,” stated Gabriel. “I know it seems a bit cliche to say, he truly attacks every single day and come in with that mentality.

“You kind of see him flip the switch, every morning we run into that weight room or every time we step on this field. Having a guy like that, it helps set the tone for the offense.”

As you can see, Dillon Gabriel will continue to lean on Brayden Willis throughout his time with the Sooners, as the duo hopes to bring everlasting glory to Oklahoma.

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Continuing, Gabriel talked during media last week about his ability to lead. He says it’s something that has always come natural to him as a person but also because of the position he has always played.

“It definitely just comes naturally to me as something playing the position you’ve got to be really good at. Just being the leader of the huddle,” said Gabriel. “Guys in the huddle are looking at you to be that voice of belief and confidence.”

Gabriel’s previous experience in college football likely helped empower him to be a leader from the start at Oklahoma. He started from the jump down in Orlando with the Golden Knights and has 26 games of experience under his belt. Gabriel also has a former UCF connection with OC Jeff Lebby which has further built on his comfort level.

With the circumstances around Gabriel in place, he can now focus on playing his position and leading his teammates forward. Those past experiences have helped him take the reins. However, he says his natural instinct to do so has helped separate him in the Sooner program.

“I think it’s something that I’ve learned but something that comes really naturally to me,” Gabriel said.