Of the two big names that the Sooners could’ve had out of the portal, Gabriel and now Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, Gabriel was the safer option and perhaps the better option for the 2022 season. Of course, if Gabriel was not on the roster when Dart was in the portal, Dart very well could’ve been a Sooner.
Gabriel was the proven commodity, with two good full seasons under his belt. Now that he’s back in Jeff Lebby’s scheme with weapons like he’s never had before, he’s poised to have a great year.
So great, in fact, that USA TODAY Sports has Gabriel as the No. 8 QB in the country for the 2022 season.
After missing all but three games in 2021 due to a broken collarbone, Gabriel will reunite with former Central Florida coordinator Jeff Lebby as the Sooners’ new starter. Gabriel has thrown for 70 touchdowns against only 14 interceptions in 26 career games, with multiple scores in all but four appearances. He’s been even better against Power Five competition, with 13 touchdowns and an average of 9.1 yards per attempt in four such games in his three years with the Knights. – Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports
Simply put, Gabriel was the best possible outcome the Sooners could have hoped for after losing Spencer Rattler and Caleb Williams in the transfer portal. Rattler came in at No. 9 and Williams No. 3 on the list.
After an offseason that supposedly marked the death of OU Football, upgrading at quarterback from your 2021 week one starter seems like pretty good business.
Gabriel was the only quarterback from the Big 12 to make the list. If Gabriel plays like the best quarterback in the Big 12, the Sooners will win the Big 12. It’s that simple. If Gabriel plays like the eighth-best QB in the country, the Sooners are going to the College Football Playoff.
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