The final game of Heisman finalist Dillon Gabriel’s college career will be Saturday, Feb. 1, as he suits up for the Reese’s Senior Bowl. This game offers an opportunity for college athletes to strut their stuff one last time in front of NFL scouts, all while repping their alma mater one last time. However, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel is taking that last bit to a new level.
Gabriel has six years of college football under his belt, making him one of the more experienced players at this weekend’s game. His college football journey has been long, winding, and unconventional to say the least. That’s why, rather than representing just Oregon, the team he led to an undefeated regular season this year while snagging the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff, Gabriel will don a helmet that represents every step of his collegiate career.
Gabriel’s helmet will feature wings, representing his time with the Oregon Ducks, plus the Oklahoma and UCF logos on the right side and back of his helmet, respectively. Gabriel has already impressed scouts during Senior Bowl practice, even allegedly breaking a record for ball speed as well. His commitment to his former schools as well should also be a big plus for NFL organizations.
How long did Gabriel spend at each school?
Gabriel played his first three seasons of college football for the UCF Knights. He appeared in 26 games, tossing 70 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions during his time with the team. In 2020, he led the American Athletic Conference in both passing yards (3570) and passing touchdowns (32).
Gabriel entered the transfer portal following the 2021 season, spending the next two years with Oklahoma. He threw 55 passing touchdowns and in 2023, he led the Big 12 in passing yards (3660) and touchdowns (30). Still, despite his success, he opted for the transfer portal once again, landing in Eugene for his final year of eligibility.
Gabriel was obviously tremendous in his final season, finishing third in Heisman voting and leading the Oregon Ducks to an undefeated regular season and a Big Ten title.
How to watch the Senior Bowl:
Date: Saturday, Feb. 1
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT
Location: Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama
TV: NFL Network
Stream: NFL+
Will Dillon Gabriel be a first-round draft pick in the NFL draft?
Gabriel’s age compared to other top quarterback prospects is a bit of a deterrent for several NFL teams. Many organizations have him lower on their draft boards. However, given Gabriel’s immense success early on at Senior Bowl practice, there is a chance he climbs back into first-round status.
Many teams are in dire need of an upgrade at the quarterback position, and we’ve seen in the past that teams are willing to take massive leaps to grab their guy early if the need arises. Just last year, the Denver Broncos selected Bo Nix with the 12th overall pick after experts had spent months prediction Nix to be a Day 2 pick.
The NFL Draft is set to begin on Thursday, April 24.