When Dillon Gabriel landed in New Orleans late Thursday night for the four-day Manning Passing Academy, his roommate was sound asleep.
As the Oregon quarterback entered their side of the four-bedroom, two-bathroom Nicholls State dorm, Gabriel made no secret of his arrival. He woke Jackson Arnold, his former teammate and understudy at OU, and the two embraced for a bear hug before catching up and listening to music.
“He’s my brother for life,” Gabriel told The Oklahoman. “Just seeing him again was a blast. It’s been a long time coming.”
Arnold and Gabriel’s reunion as camp counselors at one of the premiere quarterback camps in the country for youth football players from eighth grade to seniors in high school couldn’t have come at a better time. The two are training and preparing for their respective seasons and found comfort in discussing their experiences.
When he transferred to play for the Ducks, Gabriel handed Arnold the keys to the Sooners’ offense. Under new offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, Arnold will throw to a loaded receiving core but will play behind a completely rebuilt offensive line.