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The Ultimate Play: 5 Reasons Dillon Gabriel's Risky Oregon Move Skyrocketed His NFL Draft Stock

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Dillon Gabriel's NFL Draft saga is one of the most compelling stories in recent college football history, serving as a perfect case study on how a strategic final year of eligibility can dramatically alter a professional trajectory. As of today, December 22, 2025, the answer to the long-debated question, "Is Dillon Gabriel going to the draft?" is a resounding yes—he has already been selected.

The veteran quarterback, who spent time at UCF and Oklahoma, made a calculated decision to transfer to the University of Oregon for his final season, a move that paid massive dividends. After receiving a low draft grade that suggested he might go undrafted in 2024, his stellar performance as a Duck in the 2024 college football season propelled him into a Day 2 selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, proving his gamble was the ultimate play.

Dillon Gabriel: Complete Player Biography and College Career Snapshot

Dillon Gabriel's journey to the NFL was a long and highly productive one, spanning six seasons across three major college football programs. His extensive experience and consistent production were key factors in his eventual draft selection.

  • Full Name: Dillon Gabriel
  • Born: December 28, 2000
  • Hometown: Mililani, Hawaii
  • High School: Mililani High School (Mililani, HI)
  • Height: 5'11" (1.80 m)
  • Weight: 204 lbs (93 kg)
  • Drafted: 2025 NFL Draft, Round 3, Pick 94 overall
  • NFL Team: Cleveland Browns
  • College Career: UCF Knights (2019-2021), Oklahoma Sooners (2022-2023), Oregon Ducks (2024)
  • Key College Stats (Career Totals): Over 15,000 passing yards, 135+ passing touchdowns, and 25+ rushing touchdowns.
  • Notable Awards: Multiple All-Conference honors (AAC and Big 12), Maxwell Award Semifinalist.

The Pivotal Decision: Why Gabriel Skipped the 2024 Draft

The primary reason Dillon Gabriel did not enter the 2024 NFL Draft was a sobering draft evaluation. Reports indicated that his draft grade projected him as a late-round pick, likely a seventh-rounder, or even an undrafted free agent.

For a quarterback with his level of experience and statistical production, this was a clear signal that NFL scouts had significant concerns about his translation to the professional game. Rather than settling for a low-value contract or a difficult path as an undrafted player, Gabriel chose to leverage the NCAA's extra year of eligibility (granted due to COVID-19) to improve his draft stock.

The transfer to the University of Oregon was a masterstroke. It allowed him to play in a high-profile, pro-style offense under coach Dan Lanning, showcasing his abilities against top-tier Pac-12 (now Big Ten) competition. This new environment was crucial for addressing the specific concerns scouts had about his game.

The 2025 NFL Draft: Cleveland Browns Select Dillon Gabriel

The decision to play the 2024 season at Oregon paid off handsomely. Following a successful year leading the Ducks, Dillon Gabriel was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, with the 94th overall pick.

This jump from a potential seventh-round pick to a Day 2 selection is a massive financial and career boost, validating his decision to delay the professional jump. His selection was a surprise to some, given other high-profile quarterbacks still on the board, but the Browns' front office saw a specific skill set that fit their system.

The Browns' selection of Gabriel was driven by several key factors highlighted in his scouting reports:

  • Elite Decision-Making: Gabriel was often lauded as one of the best decision-making quarterbacks in the 2025 class, demonstrating a high football IQ and a low rate of turnover-worthy plays.
  • High Accuracy: Scouts noted his "deadeye accuracy" on throws within 15 yards, along with his ability to anticipate throws and place the ball precisely.
  • Extensive Experience: With over 50 starts and six years of college football, Gabriel brought a level of maturity and experience that few other rookie quarterbacks possessed.

Scouting Report Deep Dive: Strengths and Weaknesses

Dillon Gabriel's scouting profile is unique, blending a high floor of veteran consistency with a few physical limitations that caused his draft stock to fluctuate.

Strengths That Impressed NFL Teams

Gabriel's primary strengths revolve around his mental processing and ball distribution. He excels in RPO (Run-Pass Option) schemes, which are increasingly popular in the NFL. His ability to quickly read the defense and get the ball out on time is considered top-tier.

His toughness and ability to perform under pressure were also major selling points. He consistently demonstrated the ability to stay poised in the pocket and deliver accurate passes, even when the play broke down. The Oregon offense allowed him to showcase his ability to make throws out-of-structure, adding a valuable dimension to his game that Oklahoma's system didn't always emphasize.

Concerns That Kept Him Out of Round 1

The main reason Gabriel was not a first-round pick centers on his physical attributes and arm talent. At 5'11", he is considered undersized for a modern NFL quarterback, which can affect his sightlines over the offensive line.

Furthermore, while his accuracy is excellent on short and intermediate throws, his deep-ball velocity and overall arm strength are not considered elite. This limitation often forces him to rely more on timing and anticipation rather than overpowering a defense with pure arm talent, a factor that gives some scouts pause about his ceiling in the professional ranks.

The Legacy: Dillon Gabriel's Impact on the Transfer Portal Era

Dillon Gabriel's successful jump to the NFL following his transfer to Oregon is a landmark moment in the era of college football's Transfer Portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules. His story provides a clear roadmap for other veteran players who receive underwhelming draft grades.

Instead of viewing the low grade as a final verdict, Gabriel used his final year of eligibility as a strategic re-audition. By moving to a premier program like Oregon, he proved he could:

  1. Adapt Quickly: Successfully learn a new, complex playbook in a short amount of time.
  2. Elevate Competition: Perform at a high level against the best defenses in the country.
  3. Showcase New Traits: Demonstrate the "pro-style" traits (like pocket management and advanced reads) that scouts were looking for.

His rise from a potential undrafted player to a Day 2 pick—a difference of millions of dollars in guaranteed contract money—will undoubtedly influence how future college stars approach their final years. Gabriel's journey underscores a critical lesson: sometimes, the best path to the NFL is not the fastest one, but the most strategic one.

Now, as a member of the Cleveland Browns, Gabriel enters the next phase of his career, ready to compete for a backup role and develop into a potential starter. His college career is complete, and his NFL journey has officially begun.

is dillon gabriel going to the draft
is dillon gabriel going to the draft

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