Oklahoma 2024 Report Cards: The Quarterbacks Didn’t Perform Well, But They Never Really Had a Chance

The 2024 season for the Oklahoma Sooners was one of turbulence and growing pains, particularly at the quarterback position. Despite having high expectations and the presence of notable recruits, the play at quarterback left fans and analysts alike questioning the future of the position in Norman. However, in evaluating the quarterbacks’ performances, it’s important to take a broader perspective — one that accounts for the offensive line struggles, the evolving playcalling, and the pressure of high expectations. Simply put, the quarterbacks didn’t perform well, but they never really had a chance to thrive.

Quarterback Struggles and Injuries: A Season of Uncertainty

In an ideal season, a team with championship aspirations like Oklahoma would expect a stable quarterback room, with one signal-caller emerging as a clear leader. Instead, the 2024 season featured a carousel of quarterbacks due to both injury and inconsistent play. Starting with the highly touted transfer addition, Dylan Gabriel, Oklahoma was hoping for a seamless transition at quarterback. Gabriel, a former high school star and seasoned quarterback from UCF, was expected to bring a mixture of experience and talent that could guide the Sooners to a successful campaign.

However, things didn’t go as planned. Injuries disrupted the offense early in the season, and Gabriel was far from the dynamic quarterback that had dazzled at UCF. His passing numbers were inconsistent, often leaving Sooner fans frustrated. More than that, Gabriel never fully seemed to find a rhythm behind an offensive line that was dealing with its own issues.

It wasn’t just Gabriel, though. Backup quarterbacks Jackson Arnold and Nick Evers were thrust into action due to Gabriel’s injuries and some ineffective play. Arnold, a freshman highly regarded for his talent, showed flashes of potential but struggled with the speed of the game and the lack of support from the offensive line. Meanwhile, Evers, who was expected to push for the starting job, showed moments of promise but lacked the experience needed to elevate the offense on a consistent basis.

The revolving door at quarterback, in combination with subpar offensive line play, made it incredibly difficult for any of the quarterbacks to establish consistency. In this situation, it’s easy to pin the blame on the signal-callers, but closer examination reveals that they were simply victims of circumstances that were largely out of their control.

Offensive Line Struggles: The Root of the Problem

To truly understand the quarterbacks’ struggles in 2024, one must first look at the issues that plagued the offensive line. The Sooners’ offensive line entered the season with high expectations, but they struggled mightily throughout the year. From missed assignments to ineffective run blocking and a lack of push in the pocket, the offensive line made it nearly impossible for any quarterback to succeed.

At times, the Sooners’ quarterbacks were forced to make throws under heavy pressure, often resulting in rushed passes or forced errors. Oklahoma’s quarterbacks frequently found themselves with little to no time to survey the field, a situation that hindered their ability to make progressions and led to too many forced throws. When the offensive line isn’t protecting the quarterback, it doesn’t matter how skilled the signal-caller is — they’ll struggle to perform.

Additionally, the Sooners’ rushing attack, while occasionally effective, wasn’t consistent enough to take the pressure off the passing game. When the running backs couldn’t establish a solid ground game, the opposing defense was able to focus on pressuring the quarterback even more. This contributed to an overall lack of offensive balance, and the quarterbacks were left in an unenviable position, having to make plays under duress without the support of the running game or offensive line.

The offensive line’s struggles were perhaps the most detrimental factor in evaluating the quarterbacks’ performance in 2024. Despite some individual talent and potential, the lack of a stable and effective line made it incredibly difficult for any quarterback to perform at a high level.

Playcalling and Scheme: A Changing Offensive Philosophy

Another layer to the quarterbacks’ struggles in 2024 was the evolving offensive scheme under new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby. After arriving from Ole Miss, Lebby was expected to bring a high-paced, explosive offense to Oklahoma. However, the reality was that the offensive scheme didn’t evolve in a way that suited the quarterbacks’ strengths, especially considering the protection issues upfront.

Lebby’s offense relies on a fast-paced, tempo-driven attack that often features deep shots down the field. For this offense to succeed, the quarterback must have time in the pocket to read the defense, make quick decisions, and hit deep passes accurately. However, with the constant pressure coming from opposing defenses due to offensive line issues, this scheme often played into the hands of defensive coordinators who were able to stymie Oklahoma’s passing attack with blitzes and quick rushes.

In addition, the playcalling didn’t always put the quarterbacks in a position to succeed. While Lebby’s offense is designed to be aggressive, the lack of a consistent run game and offensive line protection meant that the quarterbacks were often forced into long third-down situations or situations where the defense knew they were passing. This predictability hurt the quarterbacks’ chances to make successful plays.

Furthermore, the quarterbacks did not seem to be put in positions where they could comfortably develop over time. Rather than allowing for a more balanced attack that would give them time to grow, the playcalling forced them into difficult situations where they were often asked to carry the offense on their shoulders.

The Quarterbacks: A Mixed Bag of Results

Despite all the external factors at play, it’s clear that the quarterbacks themselves had their share of struggles in 2024. Dylan Gabriel, who entered the season as the starter, had some moments of brilliance but was largely inconsistent. He finished the season with a respectable completion percentage but also threw too many interceptions and failed to consistently move the offense. His inability to adjust to pressure and the lack of chemistry with his receivers was glaring, and as the season wore on, it became clear that he was not the player Oklahoma needed under center.

Freshman Jackson Arnold, who was brought in as the quarterback of the future, showed promise but lacked the experience needed to step in as a consistent starter. There were flashes of brilliance, including a few nice touchdown passes and some strong runs, but his overall numbers were lackluster. Arnold’s performance was heavily impacted by the struggles of the offensive line, as well as the increased expectations placed on his shoulders as a freshman.

Nick Evers, who was expected to compete for the starting role, showed that he wasn’t yet ready to take the reins. While he had some encouraging moments, he lacked the consistency and polish required to lead a high-level offense. Evers also battled injuries and was often thrust into difficult situations where it was clear he was not yet the answer at quarterback.