Dillon Gabriel shares key aspect of his growth as a quarterback

Although he’s heading into his fifth college season, Dillon Gabriel is still learning new tricks. That includes his latest lesson in focusing on slowing down his processes at the quarterback spot.

Gabriel spoke about how that patience has already started to help him during media after Oklahoma’s spring game. He said taking things slower in the pocket has been an emphasis for him and, at this point, it’s already paying off considering how it has helped him be more efficient with his progressions.

“Just movement in the pocket. Trusting that pocket but, also, in my drop not being too fast,” Gabriel said. “I think, you know, as we worked on it and that being a point of emphasis, it really helped me in general of going through progressions and also seeing different coverages.”

“Like I said, it starts there and it starts with me,” said Gabriel. “I think, with that approach, it really helped me.”

Gabriel has been more than adequate with how efficient he in when throwing over his collegiate career. Something must have been working considering he has thrown for 11,000 yards to go along with 90 touchdowns on a 61.3% completion rate over his 38 games with UCF as well as the Sooners.

Still, it’s just about adding another layer to Gabriel’s game at this stage of his development. A little patience never hurt anybody and could actually go a long way for the OU QB if it continues to have the effect that he’s already feeling.

Gabriel says the ‘sky’s the limit’ with Jackson Arnold

Jackson Arnold may end up being the one who replaces Dillon Gabriel as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback, but that hasn’t stopped the latter from showering the star recruit with praise.

After the Sooners’ spring game on Sunday, Gabriel took the time to evaluate how the young quarterback has grown from his first practice to where he is now. According to Gabriel, Arnold’s potential is through the roof.

“I think every freshman in general, but Jackson of course, just learning the lay of the land and you know, what to expect in practice, what to expect day-to-day, week-to-week, whatever it is, scrimmage,” explained Gabriel. “I think he’s just — obviously every freshman has a better grasp on what college is all about, so yeah. The progression, everything, the improvement for him, the sky’s the limit.”