3 programs, 6 years, 64 starts, and 156 touchdowns. If Dillon Gabriel’s collegiate career were a movie franchise, it’d be Fast and Furious. Incessantly long, full of twists, and undermined by the critics. As hyperbolic as it sounds, Gabriel’s name is etched in the annals of College Football. The QB has the most passing touchdowns in FBS history. But this production didn’t come with linearity. Gabriel’s ascension to the NFL has been met with cynicism. His very tangible records and evidence of his quarterbacking prowess haven’t been reciprocated with much love from evaluators and front offices. However, one of his Oregon coaches remains unwavering in his support.

There’s near radio silence around Dillon Gabriel right now. The discourse and fervor of Draft Day 1 are void of him. There’s a consensus belief he’s going to come off the board on Day 3, actually. Someone who projects as a career backup with little upside. On the surface level, this seems blasphemous. Gabriel arrived in Eugene just last off-season and led Oregon to the B1G Championship off the bat post realignment. He’s shown to be a chameleon who can adjust and adapt to various offenses and schematics. Gabriel’s mobile, too. Not just in the backfield but also as someone who can move the sticks downfield. Most of all, he’s got an unrivalled amount of experience across various conferences and programs. But an extension of this experience is one of two thorns in his side.

Experience goes hand-in-hand with age. Naturally, teams are deterred from drafting relatively older players, since it often means there’s a low ceiling to work with. But a high floor can offset this issue. Which, in a vacuum, Dillon Gabriel does possess. But there’s a caveat, a ‘yeah, but’. A nagging issue that makes Gabriel difficult to endorse as a potential franchise quarterback, or even a long-term starter. Dillon Gabriel is probably 6”5 when he’s stood atop his college achievements. But he’s really only 5”11. Although Drew Brees and Russell Wilson help dispel some of the prejudice towards shorter quarterbacks, the rationale is somewhat fair. Even something as partisan and basic as being able to see your receivers over the monstrous offensive lineman in the NFL becomes a doubt. But Oregon OC Will Stein, who largely just witnessed the positives with Gabriel, probably wants to hear none of it. 

Will Stein took to his Instagram stories to manifest some positivity into Dillon Gabriel’s imminent foray into the NFL. He’s not naive to the fact that Gabriel isn’t getting picked tonight, i.e, in Round 1. But he’s subtly suggesting that could be a mistake.

Stein posted a picture of himself and Gabriel dapping up in the middle of Autzen Stadium, alongside some rather strong words. “Can’t wait to see where @dillongabriel goes in the #nfldraft. Whoever takes him is getting a straight WINNER #ballersball” he wrote.

This follows on from NFL.com draft analyst Tom Pellissero’s article about NFL executives, scouts, and coaches’ opinions on the 2025 quarterback class. The article included what the decision-makers think of Dillon Gabriel as well. Veiled behind anonymity, they didn’t mince words in driving home how undesirable Gabriel unfortunately is. Their prognosis includes some of the negatives aforementioned. Alongside new, more intricate ones.

Dillon Gabriel cannot shake off the one thing preventing him from breaking out

Tom Pellissero’s article gained notoriety in mainstream discourse because of what an unnamed assistant coach said about Shedeur Sanders. However, what was said about Dillon Gabriel wasn’t very forthcoming either.

An NFC scouting director said, “[Dillon] Gabriel is polished as can be. He’s just short.” Talk about being blunt. This wasn’t the only remark on his height either. “He’s been really good everywhere he’s been. But obviously the size is a thing,” said a quarterbacks coach, who had something positive to say as well. “You have to always give smart guys that have been productive their due because there’s a reason they’ve had success,” they acknowledged.

One NFC executive said, “There’s just some things in your offense you can’t do. You have to worry a little bit about [Gabriel’s] limitations…Just very average arm strength. Small. How is he going to survive on third down until the game slows down for him?” Dillon Gabriel did get a little more love from the other conference.

An AFC quarterbacks’ coach said, “Dillon’s small, but he can throw it. There’s a way to play offense with him: play-action, move the pocket, then drop back. He’s a good player, but he’s little, so you’ve got to play that way. But he can spin it.”

It’s not all doom and gloom for Dillon Gabriel. Being a left-handed QB, the Miami Dolphins have been touted as a team that is weighing him up. Their QB1, Tua Tagovailoa, is left-handed too, so it makes sense to prevent a stark shift in the offensive dynamic. Ironically, Tua is also relatively short. Although Gabriel will initially come in as a backup, most likely, he’d hope to displace his fellow Hawaii-native down the line. There really are a ton of parallels between the two! Alas, whatever team drafts Gabriel will be getting a competitor who’d push others in the QB room. Iron sharpens iron.