Like a freight train off the rails, draft season just blindsided Dillon Gabriel. Look, when someone tries to box you in, that stings more than a linebacker blitz. Just ask Travis Hunter, whose two-way dreams got steamrolled before the Combine. And scouts? They’ve got no problem zeroing in on Gabriel’s height. But the quarterback ain’t backing down—and neither is his girlfriend, who’s throwing punches at the critics. While analysts are doubting his NFL potential, she’s steadily proving them wrong.

A Heisman Trophy finalist in 2024, Dillon Gabriel showcased his talent by throwing 60 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions in his last two college seasons. Now he’s preparing for his NFL career at a crucial juncture. Despite being 5’11” tall, shorter than the preferred 6’3″ for NFL quarterbacks, Gabriel excelled in leading Oregon near to a national championship dream with an impressive 13-win season and a 72.9% completion rate. And his lady love, Zo Caswell, is making sure the scouts take notice.

Her Instagram story excitedly announced Gabriel’s participation in the NFL Combine, showing him training alongside other prospects. But she didn’t just post it—she put the entire world on notice. Zo’s caption? “Go watch episode 1 on NFL Network and YouTube.” She knows exactly what her guy brings to the table, and honestly, why wouldn’t she? Dillon Gabriel’s record speaks for itself.

Let’s be real, Dillon Gabriel isn’t getting nearly enough respect in this draft class. The Hawaiian native, a lefty gunslinger, has been one of the most productive passers in college football, racking up over 14,000 career yards with 125 touchdowns and just 26 interceptions. And get this: he’s never thrown more than seven picks in a single season. That’s the kind of possession control you can’t ignore.

After successful stints at UCF and Oklahoma, he transferred to Oregon and immediately took control of the offense. In 2024, he put up 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, marking his reputation as a dynamic playmaker who values possession of the football over being labeled solely a system quarterback. Now many NFL teams are looking for someone as efficient as Gabriel.

Dillon Gabriel’s game is all about precision. He processes defenses quickly, delivers accurate throws at all levels, and has the mobility to extend plays when things break down. His pocket awareness is elite, and while he doesn’t have a cannon like Josh Allen, he can throw the pigskin fast enough, and he’s got enough arm strength to make every NFL throw. He’s also a high-character leader who will instantly command a locker room.

So, what’s the hang-up? His height. At 5’11”, he doesn’t fit the prototypical NFL QB mold. But, let’s face it—Kyler Murray and Drew Brees have already dispelled that notion. Teams should avoid overcomplicating things and simply watch the game footage. Gabriel’s quick decision-making and precise passing style make him an excellent fit for a West Coast offense. ESPN’s Jordan Reid, an analyst who recognizes this, ranks Gabriel as the fourth-best quarterback in his class and predicts a Day 2 draft pick.

This ranking only fuels Gabriel’s determination, as he sees it as a stepping stone, not a limitation. The NFL no longer hesitates to recruit shorter quarterbacks; in fact, they are being selected early on. In 2023, the Panthers made 5’10” Bryce Young the first overall pick, showing a shift in mindset. Gabriel shares the same self-assuredness, knowing his capabilities. It is now a matter of finding a team that believes in his potential to succeed.

Dillon Gabriel’s firm stand against swirling doubts

Well, Dillon Gabriel’s experience, achievements, and winning record demonstrate his confidence. NFL scouts, however, remain hung up on his height. But he’s not sweating it. He emulates quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield, Brock Purdy, and Tua Tagovailoa, all of whom overcame similar doubts to succeed in the NFL.

Now, putting it out the best way possible, Dillon Gabriel has a strong 4-word verdict for NFL scouts that are concerned about his height. That reads, “I’m not for everyone.”

Gabriel further added to it—“I challenge everyone just to watch the tape; you see the evolution from 2019 until now, the growth I’ve made physically and mentally. Even my throwing motion—you see how polished and how detailed it has been. I’m confident in my tape, whether it’s good or bad, I think you can learn from that and, most importantly, how I’ve responded.” Gabriel knows the tape tells the story: his career’s been a steady climb. Starting at 59.3% completion rate in 2019 at UCF, progressing to 69.3% in 2023 at Oklahoma, and peaking at 72.9% at Oregon, the improvement shows it is no fluke.

NFL history backs his case. Despite standing just over six feet tall, Baker Mayfield, who recently had a Pro Bowl season with the Buccaneers, was still the number one draft pick. Kyler Murray? At 5-10-1/8, he faced similar concerns before becoming the Cardinals’ top pick in 2019. Now the Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys, and Las Vegas Raiders have all met with 24-year-old Gabriel, who left those meetings encouraged. Let’s hope his Combine performance finally lays the ‘height’ debate to rest.