This past offseason, I broke down each position group starting with the quarterbacks, and previewed what I expected from them heading into the season. Ultimately, I concluded this season needed to be Dillon Gabriel’s season as his experience set him apart.
While others continued to call for former five-star true freshman Jackson Arnold to take over at some point, I was big on not only Gabriel’s experience but also his play on the field. In 2022, he was way down the list of problems. Gabriel proved me right and had a career year.
He finished with 3,660 yards, 30 passing touchdowns, six interceptions, 69.3% completion percentage, and added 373 yards on the ground with 12 rushing touchdowns. Ultimately, it was a great year for Arnold to sit back and watch.
But Arnold also showed flashes of what’s to come when he took over in games. He was even called upon to help save Oklahoma’s season in the second half vs. the BYU Cougars.
Let’s take a look at how the position graded out, some of the best performances, what the future holds and how the 2024 recruiting class is looking at the position.
Position Grade:
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dillon Gabriel was the MVP of the offense and maybe the entire team in 2023. He took his game to a whole new level that many didn’t think was possible. His game-winning drive vs. the Texas Longhorns will go down in Red River Rivalry history. It’d be hard not to give them a great grade after the season Gabriel put together.
Grade: A
Future Outlook:
Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The future of the position is very bright. Arnold is expected to take the reins starting next year. He had a big year for him as he was able to sit back and watch how Gabriel operated while also getting some game reps.
He finished the season completing 75% of his passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He also showed he can run the ball, which should be a big part of the offense going forward.
It’s still early in his career, and he has to develop, but Oklahoma could have their next Heisman contender.
Best Individual Performance:
Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images
This was so hard to figure out because Gabriel put together some great performances. Some that come to mind are the games vs. the Arkansas State Red Wolves, Tulsa Golden Hurricane, Iowa State Cyclones, Texas Longhorns, and the TCU Horned Frogs.
But ultimately, I’m going with the record-setting performance against the West Virginia Mountaineers.
In that game, Gabriel went 23 of 36 for 423 yards and five touchdown passes. He also had 11 carries for 50 yards and added three more touchdowns. His eight touchdowns are a school record.
Recruiting Outlook:
Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The Sooners also did a good job in the recruiting department. They currently have two quarterbacks committed in the 2024 class, four-star Michael Hawkins and three-star Brendan Zurbrugg.
Hawkins is a legacy and is a dual-threat type of quarterback. Zurbrugg is your more traditional drop-back passer but can run when he needs to. Both will most likely be competing for the backup quarterback role next season.
In 2025, the Sooners might have their next five-star at the position, although there is still a long way to go. They currently have four-star Kevin Sperry committed. If he has a great offseason next summer and does well at the big-time camps, he could continue to skyrocket up the rankings. As of now, he’s a talented four-star right in Oklahoma’s backyard.
There’s no doubt the quarterback position is in a good spot for years to come.
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