Ranking the projected starting quarterbacks in the Big 12 for 2023
By Andrew Tineo
4. Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma
Much like Oklahoma’s 2022, Dillon Gabriel was not quite as advertised to Sooner fans. Littered with elite passing talent the past eight years, Gabriel was a tier below them all. However, he showed flashes of being among the best quarterbacks in the league.
Even if he was considered worse than the previous handful of quarterbacks, his PFF passing grade for 2022 still signifies a ton of positives to his game.
2022 PFF Passing Grade
— parker, is it football season yet? (@statsowar) May 9, 2023
Big 12 QBs
1. Dillon Gabriel, OU 80.9
2. Max Duggan, TCU 80.0
3. Blake Shapen, BU 79.6
4. Jalon Daniels, KU 76.7
5. Will Howard, KSU 75.6
6. Hunter Dekkers, ISU 74.7
7. Tyler Shough, TTU 70.3
8. JT Daniels, WVU 69.4
9. Ewers, TEX 66.8
10. Sanders, OSU 63.5
His 3,000+ yard, 25 touchdown season had highlights, including a 400-yard performance against Kansas and six touchdowns in a shootout against Texas Tech.
His biggest flaw in 2023 was his inconsistent accuracy. Although his 62% completion percentage won’t show it, in critical moments, it became prominent.
Dillon Gabriel’s accuracy has been an issue this season. And this is just an awful miss. pic.twitter.com/D1gL2NdWEE
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) October 1, 2022
Dillon Gabriel feels like he has a good grasp of the system but his downfield accuracy is lacking
— Kieran (@carebearkieran) September 17, 2022
His worst performance came against TCU when he completed just 42% of his throws and was taken out of the game right before halftime with an injury.
The talent around him is essential, and most of OU’s starting talent from last season is off-campus. Running back Eric Gray, wide receiver Marvin Mims and tight end Brayden Willis are off to the NFL, while fellow starting wide receiver Theo Wease transferred to Missouri.
How he handles new faces around him is vital, and if the connection is quick and cleans up accuracy issues, Gabriel has a case to be the top QB in the league.