After missing out on the Big 12 title game for the first time since it was brought back by the Big 12 in 2017, the Oklahoma Sooners will be looking to bounce back in 2022 and return to Big 12 title and College Football Playoff contention.
In order to get back into playoff contention in 2022, they’ll need their new quarterback [autotag]Dillon Gabriel[/autotag] to provide the production and experience that have so many optimistic about the Sooners’ chances this season. Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon believes Gabriel is one of several players across the country primed for a bounce-back season.
McKenzie Milton’s awful injury sent Dillon Gabriel into the lineup at UCF much earlier than anticipated in 2019. Nevertheless, he responded with consecutive years of 3,500-plus passing yards, throwing for 61 touchdowns with only 11 interceptions in 811 attempts. But in a cruel twist of fate, Gabriel exited the spotlight because of his own injury, a broken collarbone, last season. Following the year, he entered the transfer portal and headed to Oklahoma. Gabriel is slated to lead the Sooners after Caleb Williams and Spencer Rattler departed for USC and South Carolina, respectively. Offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who coached Gabriel at UCF in 2019, has already named him the starter. Gabriel’s arrival ensures Oklahoma will remain a primary contender for the Big 12 crown this season. – Kenyon, Bleacher Report
Coming back after a season-ending injury is certainly something to consider, however, he looked sharp in the spring game, completing 67% of his passes, getting ample time to get his feet wet before the layoff ahead of the 2022 season.
The Sooners will certainly be faced with challenges throughout the Big 12 season, but Dillon Gabriel is one of the reasons to remain optimistic about their chances to reclaim the Big 12 title.
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