Already one of college football’s top quarterbacks, Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon during the offseason. After staring at Oklahoma, Gabriel left Norman and headed to Eugene for Oregon’s inaugural season in the Big Ten. Gabriel has skyrocketed up the Heisman Trophy odds list, sitting squarely in the top four with Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, and Cam Ward. While he is garnering plenty of collegiate accolades, what is his NFL and devy potential?
Dillon Gabriel College Production
Gabriel started his college career at UCF, where he led the team to a 10-3 record and threw for over 3,600 yards and 29 touchdowns. In 2020, he again threw for nearly 3,600 yards and another 32 touchdowns. Gabriel broke his clavicle during the 2021 season, ending his season three games in. He transferred to Oklahoma after the season, where he led the Sooners for two seasons.
In 2022, Gabriel threw for 3,168 yards and 25 touchdowns and ran for another six. He was named the Big XII Newcomer of the Year and to the All-Big XII Second Team. In his second season as the Sooners’ QB, Gabriel was a unanimous All-Big XII First Team selection. He threw for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns and ran for a team high 12 touchdowns.
After the 2023 season, Gabriel chose to transfer to Oregon and utilize his final season of eligibility. His transfer immediately propelled him to the top of the Heisman Trophy list and kept the Ducks in the hunt for the national title. Through 10 games in 2024, he leads the country in completion percentage at 74.1%. He is also top ten in the country with 2,848 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Dillon Gabriel as a Player
Gabriel is on the shorter side of 6’0”, but he is solid at 200lbs. Traditionally, the NFL has stayed away from smaller quarterbacks, but recent trends have given them more opportunities. Guys like Russell Wilson, Kyler Murray, and Tua Tagovailoa have proven short quarterbacks can be productive in the league. He has the athleticism to be able to avoid defenders and scramble. His dual-threat ability makes him valuable in today’s NFL and will get him a shot at the next level.
One of Gabriel’s strengths is his ability to read defenses and make quick decisions. He has an average arm, but has shown the ability to make all the necessary throws. His mobility allows him to extend plays and avoid sacks, giving him the opportunity to make big plays down the field. His experience and leadership are also assets that will benefit him in the NFL. He has started over 50 games in college, giving him a wealth of experience and the ability to handle the pressures of being a starting quarterback.
While the lefty has many strengths, there are areas where he can improve to reach his full potential in the NFL. One area is his arm strength, which is considered average. Improving his arm strength will allow him to make more throws down the field and challenge defenses vertically. Another area for improvement is his consistency in reading defenses and making accurate throws under pressure. While Gabriel has shown flashes of brilliance, he will need to be more consistent in his decision-making and execution to succeed at the next level.
Dillon Gabriel Devy Outlook
Gabriel is likely going to be drafted as a backup, but could find his way on the field early depending on his landing spot. Teams have shown the propensity in recent years to draft backup quarterbacks as early as the third round. He could potentially make his way into the late day two discussion, but he is more likely a fourth round selection due to a couple of factors.
The main factor for his potential dip in draft capital is his age. He will be 24 years old in December, meaning he will turn 25 during his rookie season. Keep an eye on how he tests during the combine and how teams start to view him as the draft nears.
