Dillon Gabriel: Oklahoma's Quarterback Leading the Charge This Season
Dillon Gabriel: Oklahoma's Quarterback Leading the Ch...
By Oliver Wiener August 01, 2024 11:39
Oklahoma's football scene has been electric this season, and underpinning that electricity is the standout performance of quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Born in Hawaii on November 28th, 1999, Gabriel's journey to becoming the Sooners' leading man is filled with hard work, exceptional talent, and a deep understanding of the game, becoming a beacon of leadership and skill on the field.
Gabriel's football journey began at Mililani High School, where he made a name for himself as a dual-threat quarterback. His impressive high school career paved the way for his success at UCF, where he amassed remarkable statistics and led the Knights to significant victories. However, it was his move from San Jose State to Oklahoma that turned heads and showcased his true potential.
Gabriel leaves UCF with some gaudy numbers and accompanying recognition. He complimented this by leading the Knights to a 10-3 record his first year, throwing for over 3,000 yards and adding 25 touchdowns across that stretch. After transferring from San Jose State to Oklahoma and building upon that success with the Sooners, he was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year in 2022. That experience of being familiar with Lebby's offensive system played a major role in his ability to step into a starting job in Oklahoma.
Playing Style and Strengths
Standing at 6'0'' and weighing 200 pounds, Gabriel's physicality is perfectly suited to his role as quarterback. He boasts a strong arm capable of making precise throws in tight windows. With a season stats sheet reflecting a 82.5% completion rate, 905 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and a mere single interception, Gabriel stands out as one of the most effective quarterbacks nationally. His passer rating of 220.40 situates him among the elite, signaling his dominance in college football.
With the best completion percentage in all divisions nationally, these numbers highlight his effectiveness and experience controlling a game. His passer rating of 220.40 ranks just below former Sooner Caleb Williams, signaling Gabriel's place among the top college quarterbacks in the nation.
Notable Performances
Gabriel has been immense this season. Through the first three games, he has shown a knack for scoring points by leading the offense.
Gabriel had one of his best games against the Southern Methodist Mustangs. He went 49 of 59 for a completion rate of 82.5 percent, finished with more than double the yards at an impressive even 400, and tossed five touchdown passes, all on just three drops, in what was brought up as poor weather conditions earlier this month. It helped to showcase how he can thrive in high-leverage situations and be clutch when it counts.
Leadership and Team Success
Gabriel has more strings to his bow than his on-field work. Now a senior, he embraces his role as a mentor for younger players and a team builder. His time in the system has allowed him to mentor his teammates, particularly those among the wide receiving corps who are working diligently to catch up with some of his offensive intricacies.
Another message that Gabriel himself has driven home was the importance of leadership, as he said, "This is my team, and taking full reins of that is important." His dedication to leading in practice and contests has rubbed off on his teammates, instituting a sense of accountability and winning within the program.
This senior leadership of Gabriel and the aforementioned offensive domination is how this team has hung in there or even flourished under difficult on-field circumstances for much of the year. His experience and calm went a long way to keeping the Sooners in games even when the stakes were high.
The victorious tale of Dillon Gabriel's journey from phenomenal high school athlete to Oklahoma Sooners' starting quarterback is unmatched by few others. His trademark accuracy and final decision are the reasons he has played so well this season.
Expect Gabriel to play a critical part in how the rest of Oklahoma's season will turn out. He is well on his way to creating a legacy at Oklahoma, with legitimate buzz surrounding him as one of the greatest quarterbacks in college football history. College football is starting to catch onto the Orlando native, and Dillon Gabriel will be a household name for years.
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