JD PicKell: Oklahoma skill players will determine success of 2023 offense

On3’s JD PicKell is anticipating a major year from Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel. However, what his weapons in Norman accomplish next season will determine just how successful his campaign could be.

PicKell discussed the Sooner offense during a recent edition of ‘The Hard Count’. He said the skill position players are a major ‘if’ but, in his eyes, a lot of what they’re going to achieve is going to start with how well the run game performs.

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“Here’s the big variable, the big ‘if’. I think all this is true if the skill positions do what they should do in 2023,” PicKell said explicitly.

“I’ll start with the run game. The run game is A+. Those of y’all that know Jeff Lebby’s scheme? It’s gonna go up-tempo, he’s gonna spread you out kind of like Josh Heupel does. But they are gonna run the football a lot,” pointed out PicKell. “Last year, they averaged over 200 yards per game did Oklahoma. Jovantae Barnes and Gavin Sawchuk (are) two guys that I think are one of the most slept on 1-2 punches in the country, definitely in the Big 12. The run game is gonna be A+.”

Then, from there, he discussed how a successful run game will then set up pass-game proficiency for Gabriel and his receivers. Even so, PicKell noted the importance of them winning their matchups outside in order to really make this offense go.

“Running the football will set up those safeties to kind of creep up, try and play in the box, and try and take that away,” said PicKell. “So what does that mean? It means there’s more green grass to throw to.”

“But your receivers have to win. Dillon Gabriel and Jeff Lebby’s success will be dependent on guys like Jalil Farooq, Andrel Anthony, the transfer from Michigan. They have to be what we think they’re going to be in 2023,” PicKell continued. “The offense is built on, ‘Hey, wide receivers? If you win your one-on-one matchup? Then we win as a team because we’re scoring a lot of points.'”

Oklahoma’s offense finished Top-35 a season ago by averaging 32.8 points per game and 474 yards of offense a contest. To keep that pace in another year with Gabriel and Lebby, though, PicKell says they’ll need some reliable players to produce for them game in and game out.

“I’m excited for those guys. But they’re going to be very crucial to the success that I think Dillon Gabriel could have,” said PicKell.