JD PicKell: Dillon Gabriel will thrive in Oklahoma offense

The Oklahoma Sooners are a program going through a series of transitions. This can make them difficult to judge, with a new coaching staff and a new starting quarterback in Dillon Gabriel. While at UCF, Gabriel proved he can sling the ball. Now, reunited with former offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, can he thrive in the Oklahoma offense?

On3’s J.D. PicKell expects him to have a great 2022 season.

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“Dillon Gabriel will thrive in 2022, in this offense,” said J.D. PicKell. “How do I know that? Because history is a great teacher and Jeff Lebby and Dillon Gabriel have worked together before.”

During Dillon Gabriel’s freshman season at UCF, in 2019, Lebby was his offensive coordinator. During that season, Gabriel put up massive numbers for the Knights and ended the season top-10 in passing yards. He’s only improved since then.

“In addition to that, any time you have a new coordinator and a new coach and a new quarterback all in the same place, to have your coordinator and your quarterback synced up, that is half the battle if you ask me. Because the majority of Spring, the majority of camp is, ‘Ok, hey, quarterback. What do you like to throw? What do you feel comfortable with? What route concepts are you feeling like are your most strong, in your skillset?” Jeff Lebby already knows that with Dillon Gabriel.”

The next step, therefore, is to get Dillon Gabriel and Jeff Lebby synced with the rest of Oklahoma’s offense. Once they’re comfortable with the wide receivers and on the same page in terms of routes and timing, then things can take off for the Sooners.