Dillon Gabriel’s 2022 was derailed a bit by the concussion suffered in the TCU game and the team’s underperformance altogether. After a hot start to 2022, things cooled off for the Sooners’ offense a bit, but Gabriel ultimately ended up with a strong first season in Norman.
A second season with the Sooners should help Gabriel and Jeff Lebby find more consistency in each game and from week to week. The return of Austin Stogner and, hopefully, the return of Marvin Mims would allow Gabriel to further cement himself as one of the nation’s best quarterbacks.
But what would that mean for his Heisman chances?
Jeff Lebby’s fast-paced offense can help Gabriel rack up the numbers he would need to contend for the Heisman. While Gabriel’s 24 passing touchdowns were not worthy of Heisman buzz, perhaps a Summer with Schmitty (patent pending) could help him take a step for next season.
ESPN took a look at all of the Heisman contenders for 2023, and from the looks of it, Gabriel is considered a dark horse at the prestigious award. Here’s what Dave Wilson had to say.
After suffering a concussion on a brutal late targeting hit against TCU, Gabriel missed the Texas game the next week as well. He finished the regular season with 2,925 yards passing and 24 TDs to 6 INTs. Most of his numbers were right on track with his consistent career trajectory. If Oklahoma improves and Gabriel produces, he’ll get his time in the spotlight. – Wilson, ESPN
Gabriel was included as a “redemption story” along with former NC State QB Devin Leary. I take exception to that. Dillon Gabriel does not need redemption for how he played this season. Should Gabriel be in the Heisman race in 2023, it will not be a redemption story.
Perhaps the consistency problems that plagued the Sooners will be ironed out after a full Summer together, and perhaps Jackson Arnold’s arrival could give Gabriel a bit of a spark. If Gabriel improves on his 2022 season, he will receive Heisman buzz.
He’ll have to contend with the 2022 winner and former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback, Caleb Williams.
Caleb Williams is something of a novelty when it comes to Lincoln Riley quarterbacks. Of the four QBs that were invited to New York as Heisman finalists, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts, Williams is the only one who will play another season in college after winning the Heisman.
So, could Caleb Williams repeat as the Heisman trophy winner in 2023?
In theory, yes, he can. Williams was the best player in college football this season, and with Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud both leaving for the NFL, there will be fewer established players to challenge him for the award.
Then again, there are a few Drake Mayes and Cade Klubnik’s in the world that will be looking to take a step in 2023. Voter fatigue is also a very real thing. There’s a reason only one player has ever won the Heisman twice.
Paolo Uggetti of ESPN had some thoughts on Williams’ chances to repeat as the Heisman winner.
Can Williams repeat? It’s unlikely, given it has happened only once in the history of the award, but he’ll surely be a favorite, odds-wise, going into next season. What’s unique about Williams’ case is that he’ll be set up even better than he was this past year to succeed. Williams will now have two years of playing in the Lincoln Riley offense under his belt as well as a plethora of talented options around him once again. USC will need to replace Jordan Addison and most of a strong offensive line, but the biggest challenge might be the fact that Williams will have to surpass the bar he set this season: over 4,000 passing yards, 47 total touchdowns and a surplus of Houdini-like scrambling highlights that helped him secure the award this year. -Paolo Uggetti, ESPN
Only Baker Mayfield has played more than two seasons as a starting quarterback in Lincoln Riley’s offense, and he ended up winning his Heisman trophy in year three. If Williams takes another step in his development, who could put up better numbers than him in 2023?
Obviously, a lot needs to go right for anyone to win the Heisman, but Williams will have a very good chance to repeat should he not regress. That’s how good Caleb Williams is. If he comes into next season without getting better at all, he will still have a good shot at the 2023 Heisman.
And considering that Lincoln Riley and Alex Grinch will have another transfer portal class and recruiting class to supplement the roster they want, perhaps they could put even more talent around their golden goose.
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