Dillon Gabriel opens up about the competition at receiver, who has stepped up already

Dillon Gabriel returns to quarterback the Oklahoma Sooners in 2023. However, he’ll need to find a new favorite target as Marvin Mims has moved on to the NFL.

Despite this, during Big 12 media days, Gabriel opened up about the wide receivers at Oklahoma, explaining that he’s excited for someone to be able to step up and become the next great Oklahoma receiver in Mims’ absence.

“Marvin’s a stud and that’s why he’s at where he’s at,” Dillon Gabriel said. “But like I said, new opportunities for a lot of guys and being able to step into a new role. I’m excited for them, but Drake [Stoops], and Jalil [Farooq] and [Austin] Stog[ner] leading and guiding that room for all the guys coming up is gonna be a lot of help.”

In those receivers, Oklahoma has a lot of experience. In particular, there is a lot of excitement mounting around Jalil Farooq, who had 466 yards and five receiving touchdowns last season. Even Gabriel says that Farooq, along with Stoops, has been incredibly impressive to him.

“I’m a have to say Drake and Jalil, just the way they stepped up as leaders. But like I said, the guidance they’ve had toward the younger guys and helping them learn more into the details of playing the position. So, having those guys, like I said, helps a lot for everyone around.”

Dillon Gabriel on making his teammates better

Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables has frequently praised Dillon Gabriel for his leadership. In particular, he praised Gabriel for his ability to make his teammates better.

As Gabriel explained, it’s easiest to do this when you’re comfortable with your teammates.

“I try to tell everyone how can you tell someone to respect you if you can’t take them out and have a lot of fun off the field,” Dillon Gabriel said. “So, I try to have that side of it, but also when I get on the field being able to be demanding toward one another, push one another, and I think just the type of guys we have makes it a lot easier for me.”

Oklahoma was good on the offensive side of the ball in 2022, and it’s Gabriel’s goal to build on that in 2023. it will just need to be to a new wide receiver who steps up for the Sooners.

“Just continue to build off what we had,” Gabriel said. “A lot of guys coming into new opportunities and working their butt off all offseason. So, just excited for them and trying to build off of that from this offseason.”