NFF National Scholar-Athletes
Dillon Gabriel, QB – Oregon
3.43 GPA – Multidisciplinary Studies
Head Coach: Dan Lanning | Athletics Director: Rob Mullens
Faculty Athletics Representative: Joshua Gordon
Recipient of Coach Bobby Bowden Scholar-Athlete Award, Endowed by Phil Knight and Nike
Possessing exceptional leadership qualities, Dillon Gabriel has quarterbacked Oregon to the top of the polls while excelling in the classroom at the highest levels. The Mililani, Hawai'i, native now becomes the fifth Duck recognized as an NFF National Scholar-Athlete, following Bo Nix who won the Campbell Trophy® last season and Justin Herbert, the 2019 winner.
Having maintained a 3.43 GPA as a multidisciplinary studies major, Gabriel graduated in May 2023 from Oklahoma where he began pursuing a master's degree in human relations. Prior to OU, he played his freshman and sophomore seasons at UCF, twice making the Academic All-AAC Team. Transferring to Oregon for his final year of eligibility, he is currently in a post-baccalaureate program at Oregon.
A two-time All-Big 12 performer, earning First Team honors in 2023 after making the Second Team in 2022, and a Second Team All-AAC selection in 2020, Gabriel has played in 56 games with 55 starts, including the 2020 COVID season, and he is on pace to break the NCAA record for career starts (61) held by 2023 Campbell Trophy® winner Bo Nix. He stands third in NCAA history for career touchdown passes (140) and third for career passing yards (16,963) and second in total career yards (18,115.) Gabriel currently ranks 8th in the nation for passing efficiency with a 173.33-mark, 9th in the nation for passing yards with 2,098, and ninth for passing yards per game with 299.71.
Gabriel has led the Ducks to a perfect 7-0 record and a No. 1 ranking during the first eight weeks of the 2024 season, including a thrilling 32-31 win against Ohio State in Week 7. During his time with Oklahoma, he helped the Sooners to a 10-3 season and a No. 12 final ranking in 2023. He also quarterbacked the Sooners to back-to-back post-season appearances in the Alamo Bowl and Cheez-It Bowl. At UCF, he led the Black Knights to a 10-3 record and a final No. 24 ranking in 2019, and he guided the Black Knights to two Gasparilla Bowl wins in 2019 and 2021.
Active in the community, Gabriel helped build more than 200 beds for underprivileged children, and he organized a youth basketball game in Eugene. He bought Nike uniforms for his former high school team in Hawai'i, and he has organized team-building retreats for his fellow Ducks. His father, Garrett, was a quarterback at Hawai'i from 1986-90.
(All stats as of Oct. 23, 2024)
