Dillon Gabriel draws impressive comp to former SEC star ahead of 2023 season

Dillon Gabriel is entering his second season at Oklahoma looking to boost his stock for the NFL before entering the 2024 draft. Coming off a strong first year with the Sooners, Gabriel is already drawing one impressive comp for his NFL future.

Jim Nagy — Executive Director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl — shared an early outlook for Gabriel on Monday. Included in that outlook is Nagy’s comp of former Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa for Gabriel.

Nagy pointed to both players being lefties, similar in size and Hawaiian background of both players. While Nagy said the Senior Bowl is not projecting Gabriel as a first-round pick, he did point to bouncy feet, a quick trigger and a strong command of an RPO offense as characteristics to like about Gabriel.

Nagy also says the Senior Bowl is excited to see what Gabriel does in his third year under OC Jeff Lebby going back to the duo’s time at UCF:

Senior Bowl followers know we’re not big on player comps but they can be useful helping paint picture when they truly fit.

We’re calling our shot now that one of most common comps in 2024 draft cycle will be Tua for @OU_Football QB Dillon Gabriel.

✔️ Lefties
✔️ Size- OU lists… pic.twitter.com/nP5k0Dly4N

— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) May 29, 2023

In his first season at Oklahoma, Gabriel threw for 3,168 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 62.7% of his passes. For his career, Gabriel has over 11,000 yards and 95 touchdowns with 20 interceptions.

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.