Dillon Gabriel talks growth of Oklahoma quarterback room
Dillion Gabriel appears to have the Oklahoma quarterback position locked down for 2022, but he was recently asked about the group of young signal callers behind him.
The veteran was clearly excited about the future at the position behind him.
“I think there’s been a lot of growth from each and every one of them,” Gabriel said. “They bring a lot of different things to the table which is super cool. But just a lot of growth, from day one in the winter workouts until now, it’s night and day. And just to see their growth, man I’m super proud of them.”
Nick Evers — a former four-star prospect who originally committed to Florida — is the most likely to take over for Dillon Gabriel at Oklahoma as the future Oklahoma Sooners’ signal caller.
The 2022 Oklahoma quarterback room also includes Micah Bowens, a transfer from Penn State, who came to Norman after the 2021 season, and Ralph Rucker, a walk-on. Bowens has yet to play in a game at Oklahoma, while Rucker has appeared in one game, completing two passes for 20 yards.
Dillon Gabriel on Baker Mayfield setting the stage for Oklahoma QBs
Baker Mayfield put together a standout career at Oklahoma – there’s no question about it. Throwing for 12,292 yards and 119 touchdowns over three seasons with the program while also winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 2017, Mayfield certainly left his mark on the Sooners.
As he’s now playing in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns, Mayfield is making a return to Norman this weekend for Oklahoma’s spring game on Saturday afternoon. While the quarterback will be taking in the game, he’ll also be getting honored by the school with a Heisman Trophy statue.
While Mayfield is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks to ever play at Oklahoma, he set the bar high for the quarterbacks that come after him – including current Sooners’ signal-caller Dillon Gabriel. Meeting with reporters on Tuesday, Dillon Gabriel shared how excited he is to meet Mayfield this weekend and what he means to the program.
“I’m excited to meet him,” Gabriel said. “Obviously watching from afar and got a lot of respect for him and what he’s done for Oklahoma. He’s done a bunch, won a bunch of games, but most importantly just the passion he has for the game and Oklahoma – it’s real.
“I’m going to be super excited to meet him and hopefully be able to further talk and get into deeper conversation. But super excited to meet him.”
In terms of having the chance to meet Mayfield, Gabriel said that it would mean a lot to him – simply because Mayfield is someone he can model his game after.
“I think the biggest thing is that he’s played the position, and has played it here,” Dillon Gabriel said. “On every single level – in the NFL, here, even back at [Texas] Tech. I just think there’s so much I can learn from him and his whole journey. So, I’m excited to dive deeper into that.”
Oklahoma’s Red vs. White spring game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET Saturday.