OU football in 'much better place' with Jackson Arnold learning behind Dillon Gabriel
NORMAN — Drake Stoops has noticed a difference in Dillon Gabriel during the first week-plus of preseason camp.
The veteran OU wide receiver saw the field with both Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts early in Stoops’ Sooners career, so he has a strong sense of what high-level quarterback play looks like.
“I think his understanding for each and every one of us as a receiver, like all of our different skill sets, knowing where each one of us is going to be (is better),” Stoops said of the Sooners’ redshirt senior quarterback. “Some of us get there at different timing. Some of us, you have to throw a high ball. Big Austin Stogner, you’re going to throw a high back-shoulder vs. a Gavin Freeman, you’re going to throw it over the top because he’s got speed.
“Just having a good feel for where everyone’s going to be and how they’re going to get to that spot and the timing in which they’re going to get there. And then just the attention to detail and just pushing us to really focus on those details because third and fourth downs, that’s when those details really come into play. And if you’re not sharp, it’s going to come back to bite you.”
Gabriel has had plenty of success, both before he transferred to OU and last season, when he threw for 3,168 yards and 25 touchdowns with just six interceptions.
But he wants more out of himself this season, and his increased comfort level this season is a big reason Gabriel feels like he can be a part of a resurgent season after last year’s 6-7 finish.
More: For OU football's Jalil Farooq, leading wide receiver group 'always a dream for me'
“It’s kind of like when you get a girlfriend,” Gabriel said early in camp. “For three months, you’re still learning each other but once you get to that year, year and a half, you kind of loosen up being able to just get to know them more.
“Likewise with our relationships off the field and on the field, just being around them more, knowing how we communicate, certain routes we like, how to throw them, routes they like to catch. I think with time, that can only benefit everyone.”
Gabriel has a chance to finish in the top 10 all-time in career passing yards.
Entering this season, he needs 2,875 yards to move past Marshall’s Rakeem Cato into 10th place.
Gabriel’s 3,168 yards last season was his fewest in three full seasons as a starter.
“Fortunately, none of that matters,” Gabriel said about the possibility of finishing in the top 10. “The name of the game is — it’s a team sport. That’s all I’m focused on is winning and having fun with my brothers, just keeping it simple and maintaining that. The rest will take care of itself.”
OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby, who was also Gabriel’s offensive coordinator in 2019 during Gabriel’s freshman season at UCF, was much less dismissive of the benchmark.
“That’s something that matters,” Lebby said. “He’s going to have a ton of production. He’s had a bunch of production. He’s got to play better. I’ve got to call it better, I’ve said that. But that guy allows you to put a lot on the entire unit because he’s played a whole bunch of ball.”
More: Jovantae Barnes eyes expanded role in OU football backfield after offseason foot surgery
The most recent quarterbacks on that list are the Sooners’ Baker Mayfield and Washington State’s Luke Falk, whose college careers ended in 2017.
Lebby and Brent Venables also feel more comfortable about the depth of their quarterback room this season with the addition of five-star freshman prospect Jackson Arnold.
When Gabriel was injured last season, missing much of the loss to TCU and all of the blowout loss to Texas, the Sooners’ quarterback situation was disastrous, with Davis Beville’s struggles leading Lebby to use Brayden Willis, Eric Gray and others as wildcat quarterbacks.
Lebby said in the spring that the confidence in the depth of the room went beyond just the addition of Arnold, pointing out Beville’s improvement.
“We’re in a much better place in that room than we were a year ago, that’s for sure,” Lebby said.
But Arnold is the biggest reason for the added comfort.
“You can just tell there’s a ton of confidence inside of him compared to the first four days of spring ball,” Lebby said. “And that’s just the growth of being able to go through it in the spring and having the summer and getting the install again. … He’s created confidence in himself with just how much time he’s spent in that meeting room. So it’s slowing down for him a little bit.”
More: What happened after young fan's flag went missing at Meet the Sooners? 'Good people' helped
OU quarterbacks depth chart
Name, Class, Ht., Wt., Hometown (Previous school)
The starter
Dillon Gabriel, RSr., 5-11, 204, Mililani, Hawaii (UCF)
The reserves
Jackson Arnold, Fr., 6-1, 214, Denton, Texas (Guyer)
Davis Beville, RSr., 6-6, 224, Greenville, S.C. (Pitt)
General Booty, RSo., 6-2, 190, Allen, Texas (Tyler JC)
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football: Jackson Arnold is waiting in wings behind Dillon Gabriel
