But Gabriel isn’t stopping there. His trophy case is bursting at the seams with accolades: multiple All-American team honors, Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year, and first-team All-Big-Ten to name a few.
Oh, and he just casually broke the NCAA record for career touchdowns.
This 6-foot, 200-pound dynamo hailing from Miliani, Hawaii, has excelled at each of his collegiate stops, previously earning All-Conference honors at UCF and Oklahoma before bringing his talents to Oregon this season. As the Ducks charge into the College Football Playoff with championship dreams, the buzz around Gabriel’s potential future in the NFL is hitting a fever pitch.
Is he franchise quarterback material? Which teams might benefit from his skills the most?
@McShay13 and Steve Muench have delved into what makes Oregon’s offense tick and how Gabriel elevates it. In their words, there’s something particularly electrifying about Oregon’s offense with Gabriel at the helm, even more so than last year’s performance with Bo Nix.
His quick decision-making and rapid-fire release are turning heads everywhere. You’ve got a quarterback who knows exactly when to unleash that arm, tossing downfield throws with pinpoint touch and timing—a trait that any coach in the league would covet.
Now, if you’re looking at the Miami Dolphins, coached by Mike McDaniel, you’d see a scheme designed to thrive on timing and accuracy, areas where Gabriel clearly shines. With Tua Tagovailoa entrenched as a Pro Bowl starter, Gabriel would make an ideal understudy—or potentially more—given the shared Hawaiian roots and left-handed throws. Plus, the Dolphins emphasize quick decisions and precise execution, which are Gabriel’s bread and butter.
While Gabriel isn’t one to boast, he’s self-assured in his abilities and character, proud of the person he is both on and off the field. His tape might scream talent, but Gabriel believes his real selling point is his authenticity and confidence—traits that cannot be undervalued.
Beyond the pocket-passer comparison with Tagovailoa, Gabriel brings an element of mobility that adds another layer to his game. This could potentially open up new avenues for an offensive scheme like Miami’s down the line.
For the Oregon Ducks, one of the biggest reasons they’re favorites to hoist the national championship trophy is the dynamic partnership between Dillon Gabriel and wide receiver Tez Johnson. These two continue to rise above doubts about their size, proving time and again that they are playmakers with the grit and tenacity needed to turn doubters into believers.
As we look toward the draft, it’s quite plausible that Gabriel’s stock could rise higher than anyone initially anticipated. His skill set seems tailor-made for teams operating with a west-coast-style offense, enhancing his value tremendously as an exciting prospect for the next level. The Dillon Gabriel story is far from over, and it’s one that NFL teams should definitely be paying attention to.
