Dillon Gabriel opens up about what he expects facing Big 12 competition this season

Oklahoma is a different animal than UCF, but Dillon Gabriel isn’t feeling the Big 12 heat.

Speaking with the ESPN crew at Big 12 Media Days, the latest Sooners quarterback opened up about what he expects to see against Big 12 competition in 2022.

“Ball is ball. It’s eleven on eleven. It’s our eleven vs. their’s. Like I said, I’m so confident in what our team has to offer, and the work we’ve put in through this summer,” stated Gabriel. “So, I know that will take care of itself, and whatever presents itself does.”

A former three-star recruit in the 2019 class, Gabriel brings his experience as a starter at UCF the past three seasons to Norman. In 2019 as a true freshman under now-Sooners offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, Gabriel showed that he was a special player, finishing with 3,653 yards and 29 touchdowns while leading the Knights to a 10-3 record.

Then, he followed that up with 3,570 yards and 32 touchdowns as a sophomore, as it appeared primed to become a star in 2021. However, Gabriel suffered a broken clavicle in the third game of the season and sat out the rest of the year.

As he looks to bounce back from that injury, he’ll be doing so under completely new circumstances. However, its evident Dillon Gabriel is more than confident in his team, and his ability.

Dillon Gabriel discusses relationship with Jeff Lebby, how Oklahoma’s offense is different from UCF

Moreover, Dillon Gabriel may have transferred from UCF to Oklahoma, but the star quarterback isn’t going in blind.

Instead of having to rebuild a rapport with a new offensive coordinator, Gabriel’s former mentor with the Knights — Jeff Lebby — is readying for his first season in Norman as their offensive guru.

During Big 12 Media Days, Gabriel joined the ESPN set to discuss his relationship with Lebby, as well as how Oklahoma’s offense is different from the one he ran at UCF.

“Coach Leb’s my dude, man. Love that guy to death,” stated Gabriel.”I wouldn’t want to go to war with anyone else. For that, and the relationship standpoint, great dude.

“Believe in him, and of course he believes in me. So, when I got the call, it was a no brainer.”

Continuing, Gabriel answered how Lebby’s offense differs from the one he ran with the Knights.

“I think Coach Lebby has evolved,” stated Gabriel. “Of course, I have too. We kind of just grown that way.

“Tried to do some things that we’ve done in the past. But at the same time, diving into new things.”

It was a winding road for Dillon Gabriel to reunite with Jeff Lebby at Oklahoma, but he believes he’s right where he was meant to be.

“It’s been crazy, it’s been different,” the Oklahoma quarterback said, regarding his journey. “But man, it’s been super lovely. Just blessed to be here.

“It all happened for a reason. God put me right where I’m supposed to be.”