Dillon Gabriel
Dillon Gabriel (born December 28, 2000) is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL).[1] A left-handed passer standing at 5 feet 11 inches and weighing 200 pounds, he is known for his high-efficiency passing, mobility, and record-setting college production across three universities.[2][3] Gabriel began his football journey in Mililani, Hawaii, where he starred at Mililani High School, setting the state record for career passing yards under coach Rod York—a mark that stood until 2024.[4] He committed to the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 2019, starting 25 of 26 games over three seasons and throwing for 8,037 yards and 70 touchdowns while completing 60.7% of his passes.[5] Transferring to the University of Oklahoma in 2022 via the NCAA transfer portal, he started all 26 games over two years, amassing 6,828 passing yards and 55 touchdowns, and adding 688 rushing yards with 18 scores, helping lead the Sooners to bowl appearances.[5][6] In 2024, Gabriel transferred to the University of Oregon for his final eligible season, where he started all 14 games, completing 72.9% of his passes for 3,857 yards and 30 touchdowns, while rushing for 149 yards and 7 touchdowns, earning third-place Heisman Trophy voting and guiding the Ducks to a College Football Playoff berth.[5] Over his six-year college career spanning 64 games (63 starts), he accumulated 18,722 passing yards, 155 passing touchdowns—tying Case Keenum's FBS record—and 33 rushing touchdowns, establishing the all-time FBS record for total touchdowns responsible for at 189 (155 passing, 33 rushing, 1 receiving).[5][7][8] Selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round (94th overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, Gabriel signed a four-year rookie contract and quickly ascended to the starting role amid injuries and performance issues with veterans.[1][7] As of November 15, 2025, through 10 weeks, he has completed 58.6% of his passes for 869 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, while adding 84 rushing yards, with a 32.3 total QBR ranking 32nd league-wide amid ongoing competition from teammates like Shedeur Sanders.[9][10]Early life
Family background
Dillon Gabriel was born on December 28, 2000, in Mililani, Hawaii.[11] His father, Garrett Gabriel, is a former quarterback for the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, where he played from 1986 to 1990, amassing 5,638 passing yards and 47 touchdowns during his college career.[12] Garrett now works as a behavioral health specialist at Mililani Middle School and serves as the head coach for the boys' basketball team at Mililani High School.[4] Dillon's mother, Dori Gabriel, holds a bachelor's degree in communication and media studies from Loyola Marymount University and has been a senior district business manager at Novo Nordisk since 2006; she has been a steadfast supporter of her son's athletic pursuits throughout his life.[11] Gabriel grew up in a close-knit family with two brothers: an older brother named Garrison and a younger brother named Roman. The Gabriel family maintains a strong athletic tradition, with Garrett's football background, Dori's experience as a college softball player, Garrison's involvement in volleyball, and Roman's prominence as a high school basketball player at Mililani High School.[13][14][15] Of Native Hawaiian heritage through his parents, Gabriel's upbringing in Mililani deeply instilled cultural values such as discipline, family loyalty, and community ties, which have profoundly shaped his work ethic and personal identity.[11] His early exposure to football was heavily influenced by his father's playing career and involvement in coaching, including family games and backyard drills that fostered a passion for the sport from a young age. This foundation led Gabriel to begin formal training in Hawaii's youth leagues, such as Pop Warner, where he developed his skills under Garrett's guidance.[11][16]High school career
Dillon Gabriel attended Mililani High School in Mililani, Hawaii, from 2015 to 2019, where he emerged as one of the state's premier quarterback prospects.[7] As a three-year starter, he led the Trojans to notable success, including a Division I state championship in 2016 during his sophomore season.[17] Over his high school career, Gabriel amassed 9,848 passing yards and 105 touchdowns, establishing a Hawaii state record for career passing yards (second all-time in touchdowns at the time).[18] These figures surpassed previous benchmarks set by notable predecessors like Tua Tagovailoa, highlighting his exceptional arm talent and decision-making under pressure.[19] His performance earned him the 2018-19 Gatorade Hawaii Football Player of the Year award, recognizing him as the top high school football player in the state, along with first-team all-state selections from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for multiple seasons.[20][21] Gabriel's recruitment gained momentum in his senior year, initially holding an offer from Army before attracting interest from major programs. He ultimately committed to the University of Central Florida (UCF) in December 2018, choosing it over scholarships from USC, Georgia, BYU, Hawaii, and others due to the promise of early playing time in a spread offense that aligned with his skill set and the influence of former Mililani quarterback McKenzie Milton, who had starred there.[22][23] This decision allowed him to follow a path distinct from his family's football legacy, as his father, Garrett, had quarterbacked at the University of Hawaii.[24]College career
University of Central Florida
Dillon Gabriel enrolled at the University of Central Florida in 2019 as a true freshman and quickly earned the starting quarterback position, appearing in all 13 games and leading the Knights to a 10-3 record while securing a No. 15 ranking in the final College Football Playoff poll.[25] He completed 236 of 398 passes for 3,653 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, setting a UCF freshman record for passing yards and earning second-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) honors from Pro Football Focus.[5][2] Gabriel's performance included four 400-yard games, tying a school single-season record, and he demonstrated an efficient, quick-release passing style that emphasized timing and accuracy in UCF's high-tempo offense.[26][27] In the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Gabriel started all 10 games, helping UCF achieve a 6-4 record and a berth in the Gasparilla Bowl.[28] He threw for 3,570 yards and 32 touchdowns against just four interceptions on 248 completions out of 413 attempts, earning second-team All-AAC recognition and ranking among the national leaders in passing efficiency with a 156.3 rating.[5][29] His low interception rate highlighted improved decision-making, and he contributed 169 rushing yards and two scores, further showcasing his dual-threat capabilities in a season where UCF ranked among the top offenses nationally in scoring and total yards.[30] Gabriel's 2021 junior season was cut short by injury after starting the first three games, where he completed 70 of 102 passes for 814 yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions, helping UCF open 3-0.[5] On September 17 against Louisville, he suffered a fractured left clavicle on the game's final play, sidelining him for the remainder of the year as the Knights finished 9-4 and won the Birmingham Bowl under backup Mikey Keene.[31] Over his UCF tenure, Gabriel amassed 8,037 passing yards and 70 touchdowns with 14 interceptions in 26 games started, setting school marks for single-season completions (236 in 2019) and ranking sixth in career passing yards with 8,037 at the time of his departure.[32][30] Seeking a larger stage in a Power Five conference following his injury, Gabriel entered the NCAA transfer portal in December 2021 after three productive seasons at UCF, where he honed a precise, quick-release delivery that became a hallmark of his playing style.[33][27]University of Oklahoma
After transferring from the University of Central Florida in January 2022, Dillon Gabriel joined the Oklahoma Sooners as their starting quarterback under new head coach Brent Venables, bringing prior experience from a Group of Five program that facilitated his quick adjustment to the Power Five level.[34][33] He started 12 games in the 2022 season, passing for 3,168 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while completing 62.7% of his attempts, though the Sooners finished with a 6-7 record amid widespread injuries across the roster that hampered team performance.[5][35] In 2023, Gabriel elevated his play, starting all 12 regular-season games and breaking Oklahoma single-season records with 3,660 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and only six interceptions on a 69.3% completion rate, contributing to a 10-2 regular-season finish. He entered the transfer portal before the Alamo Bowl against Arizona and did not participate, where the Sooners fell 38-24.[6] His efficiency helped set school marks, including a career 69.5% completion percentage during his two seasons at Oklahoma, and he earned multiple Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honors, such as after a 421-yard, five-touchdown performance against Tulsa that included a single-game record 90.3% completion rate.[36][37] Despite these highs, Gabriel navigated challenges including inconsistent offensive line protection that led to frequent pressures and sacks, as well as speculation surrounding Oklahoma's impending move to the Southeastern Conference in 2024, which fueled discussions about roster stability and program direction.[38][39] Following the 2023 season, Gabriel entered the NCAA transfer portal on December 4 with one year of eligibility remaining, seeking a program positioned for national title contention after initially considering an NFL path but opting to maximize his college opportunities.[40][41]University of Oregon
Gabriel transferred to the University of Oregon in 2024 as a graduate transfer for his sixth and final year of college eligibility, following stints at UCF and Oklahoma.[2] During the 2024 season, Gabriel demonstrated exceptional leadership as the Ducks' starting quarterback, throwing for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions while guiding Oregon to a 13-1 record.[5] His precise decision-making and low turnover rate anchored a high-powered offense that captured the Big Ten Championship with a victory over Penn State and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff.[42] Gabriel's poise under pressure was instrumental in elevating the team's championship-caliber performance, blending veteran experience with dynamic playmaking to mentor younger teammates and foster team unity. Gabriel delivered standout performances in several high-stakes matchups. He capped his collegiate career in the College Football Playoff, earning recognition for his contributions. These efforts earned him significant individual recognition, including a finish as the third-place Heisman Trophy finalist, Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors, and unanimous All-American status.[43] Gabriel's impact at Oregon extended to setting single-season school records for passing efficiency and touchdowns, while his performance drew widespread praise for his ball security and smart play in a pass-heavy system.[2] Following the season, he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, generating considerable pre-draft buzz for his proven leadership and efficiency against elite competition.[5]College statistics
Dillon Gabriel concluded his college career with 18,722 passing yards, 155 passing touchdowns, 32 interceptions, and a 65.2% completion rate over 63 starts.[5][2]Year-by-Year Passing Statistics
| Season | School | Games | Completions/Attempts | Yards | TDs | INTs | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UCF | 13 | 236/398 | 3,653 | 29 | 7 | 156.9 |
| 2020 | UCF | 10 | 248/413 | 3,570 | 32 | 4 | 156.3 |
| 2021 | UCF | 3 | 70/102 | 814 | 9 | 3 | 158.9 |
| 2022 | Oklahoma | 12 | 230/367 | 3,168 | 25 | 6 | 154.4 |
| 2023 | Oklahoma | 12 | 266/384 | 3,660 | 30 | 6 | 172.0 |
| 2024 | Oregon | 14 | 326/447 | 3,857 | 30 | 6 | 164.9 |
| Career | 64 | 1,376/2,111 | 18,722 | 155 | 32 | 160.0 |
Career Rushing Statistics
| Season | School | Games | Attempts | Yards | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UCF | 13 | 71 | 78 | 4 |
| 2020 | UCF | 10 | 72 | 169 | 2 |
| 2021 | UCF | 3 | 24 | 125 | 2 |
| 2022 | Oklahoma | 12 | 89 | 315 | 6 |
| 2023 | Oklahoma | 12 | 93 | 373 | 12 |
| 2024 | Oregon | 14 | 75 | 149 | 7 |
| Career | 64 | 424 | 1,209 | 33 |