With the regular season behind us, the Big 12 their postseason award winners. Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel was named 2022 Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
Gabriel, a transfer from soon-to-be Big 12 member UCF. came to Oklahoma to reunite with Jeff Lebby who played a massive part in Gabriel being named a Freshman All-American.
Gabriel, a fourth-year junior from the state of Hawaii, threw for 2,925 yards with 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions this season. He completed 63% of his passes (216/343) in 11 games. He also carried the ball 75 times for 300 yards and five more touchdowns on the ground.
🏈 #Big12FB Offensive Newcomer of the Year 🏈
Dillon Gabriel, @OU_Football
📰 https://t.co/35MHtDi7VK pic.twitter.com/ztSpJwW2fr
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) November 30, 2022
Gabriel’s ability to stretch the field vertically was a key component in Oklahoma’s passing game. He led the Big 12 in passing yards per game.
The conference was validated after picking Gabriel for the same award in the preseason.
He joins other OU winners: Jalen Hurts (2019), Dede Westbrook (2015), Adrian Peterson (2004), and former OU offensive coordinator turned Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel (1999) to win the award.
In the aftermath of Oklahoma’s overtime loss to Texas Tech, Gabriel was non-committal on returning next year but barring a surprise his offensive coordinator and QB coach Jeff Lebby believes he will return.
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