Jeff Lebby provides strong endorsement of Dillon Gabriel's arm strength
In looking to find a new offensive identity post-Lincoln Riley, Brent Venables hired Jeff Lebby as Oklahoma’s new offensive coordinator. Lebby, who has coached under Art Briles, Josh Heupel, and Lane Kiffin, promises to bring a fast-paced and explosive offense to Norman. Of course, for that type of offense to thrive, you need a good quarterback. So, Oklahoma brought in transfer Dillon Gabriel.
Dillon Gabriel had made a name for himself at UCF, where the lefty demonstrated one of the prettiest deep balls in all of college football. In 2019, during his freshman season, Jeff Lebby was Gabriel’s offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. Gabriel even wanted Lebby to get the head coaching job once Heupel left for Tennessee. That didn’t happen, though. So, instead, the two reconnected at Oklahoma.
Recently, Jeff Lebby explained just how strong Dillon Gabriel’s arm is.
“I think one of the greatest things that Dillon does is throw the deep ball,” Jeff Lebby said. “I think if you look at all of his throws on tape, and you go back to his freshman year, his sophomore year, and then before he got hurt last year–he can push the ball down the field.”
“So, he’s got great touch on it. Understands how to get the ball out of his hand a little earlier, if he needs to, but that’s a strength of his for sure.”
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Jeff Lebby and Dillon Gabriel’s relationship
The relationship between play caller and quarterback is incredibly important to an offense. When they’re on the same page, an offense clicks. That’s exacerbated by fast-paced offenses like Jeff Lebby’s.
“Coach Leb’s my dude, man. Love that guy to death,” Dillon Gabriel said of Jeff Lebby. “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.”
The relationship between Jeff Lebby and Dillon Gabriel is going to help Oklahoma transition to a new era. It won’t look exactly the same as it did at UCF because they’ve both evolved since then. However, the connection that makes them click still remains.