JD PicKell: Changes across the Big 12 bode well for Dillon Gabriel

One of the biggest pickups for Oklahoma this offseason was UCF transfer Dillon Gabriel. He’s coming in with a new coaching staff, but reuniting with his former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, which could help with the transition.

However, On3’s J.D. PicKell argued Gabriel could be in position to succeed with so many changes around the Big 12.

Oklahoma wasn’t the only program to undergo major changes. Baylor lost last year’s starting quarterback, Gerry Bohanon, to the transfer portal as he headed to USF. Texas has a new quarterback in the fold along with multiple other new faces to integrate from the portal.

Those situations don’t sound too different from what’s happening at Oklahoma, and PicKell said Gabriel has plenty going for him in 2022.

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“There are some things within this conference that I think are going to lend itself to a quicker start for Dillon Gabriel and this team,” PicKell said on The Hard Count. “Because if you look around the conference, a lot of transitions. Iowa State, it was well-publicized a year ago, they had like 20 of 22 starters coming back, or something close to that. Texas, second year under Sark, new quarterback. They did an overhaul from the transfer portal. Baylor, defending champs, they’re coming back swinging. Dave Aranda’s a magician, but they replace a lot of production. They lost a lot on defense, a lot in terms of what they’re doing at the running back spot, new quarterback.

“You see where I’m going with this? There’s a lot of new in the Big 12. In some way, shape or form, they’re asking for somebody to reclaim that throne. With what Dillon Gabriel’s bringing and what Jeff Lebby’s bringing, the fact they’re already synced up, that’s going to bode well for the Sooners and ultimately play well to where the conference is at right now.”