Dillon Gabriel ranked No. 4 in ESPN’s top 50 newcomers for 2022
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The transfer portal has created a whole different dynamic in college football that allows teams to rebuild their rosters on the fly. That’s how the Oklahoma Sooners mitigated losses to the NFL and the transfer portal themselves.
The most significant addition they made that will have the biggest impact is quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who came over from UCF.
Gabriel’s college experience and production made him a priority target for the Sooners once Caleb Williams entered the transfer portal and appeared destined to leave. Heading into the 2022 season, Dillon Gabriel was ranked No. 4 in ESPN’s top 50 newcomers (ESPN+). Bill Connelly included transfers who are new to their squad or incoming freshman.
Gabriel played for offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby at UCF, and now Lebby is the coordinator at Oklahoma. The two are reuniting at a perfect time after the Sooners lost quarterbacks Caleb Williams and Spencer Rattler. In 2019 and 2020, Gabriel threw for a combined 7,223 yards and 61 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He suffered an injury that cut his 2021 season short and now he has an opportunity to lead Oklahoma. – Connelly, ESPN
Gabriel is reconnecting with Lebby for the first time since his freshman year in 2019. That season, Gabriel threw for 3,653 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 60% of his passes.
“Yeah, I think the thing that he’s done has been exactly who he is,” offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby said. “He’s been very intentional on creating relationships and making sure that everybody in the locker room knows who he is as a person. And so he’s done a great job of that. The thing that we’re looking for coming into fall camp is taking care of the football, operating at a really high level. Those are the two things to me that are the most important. The ball is the only thing that matters, so take care of the rock and we’re gonna be in good shape.”
Former Sooners quarterback Caleb Williams came in at No. 1, Spencer Rattler at No. 10, and Mario Williams at No. 11.
Several Oklahoma targets in the 2022 recruiting cycle also made the top 50 newcomers like OL Devon Campbell, who signed with Texas, Luther Burden of Missouri, Raleek Brown of USC, Talyn Shetron of Oklahoma State, and Jordan Hudson of TCU. Connelly believes each of these players has an opportunity to contribute right away to their respective teams.
In Oklahoma’s 2022 recruiting class, guys like Jovantae Barnes and Jayden Gibson showed in the spring game that they’re ready to be involved in the offense early in their Sooners’ careers.
Another newcomer who has a chance to be one of the most impactful newcomers in college football is defensive tackle, Jeffery Johnson. His presence on the interior will set the tone for the Sooners’ defensive front, especially against the running game.
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Oklahoma Sooners 2023 recruiting class commitment tracker
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