Dillon Gabriel has been the constant talking point of the CFB world for a while now. With Oregon Ducks being at the top of their game with a top-tier 13-0, the Heisman hopeful had plenty of chances to bring out his best leg process, making a huge difference in the giant scoreboard. Dan Lonning kept his undefeated status intact, coming from a massive Big 10 championship win over Pen State last week. Gabriel, the beating heart of the Ducks squad, didn’t waste any time to draw up for the Rose Bowl. He will ace again. No doubt about that. But do you ever wonder where the blueblood stemmed his relentless passion and patience to go after the star? Well, if yes, let us tell you, it’s his father, Garret Gabriel, the former quarterback of Hawaii. The legacy is in the blood.

Gabriel’s season has been phenomenal, extraordinary, and stupendous. No matter how you express it, it will never be enough. The young prodigy has been one of the key players in leading his team to an unprecedented high. In his breakout season, the QB finished  73.2% of his passes for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns, with just six interceptions. Freaking awesomeness! But he’s not alone in his journey toward excellence. His dad has been a staunch motivator and the hardest critic throughout the process.

Breaking down the awe-inspirational dad-son chemistry during a candid interview with ESPN, The Ducks sensation noted, ”When I was a kid, even to this day, the conversations, not only as a coach but as a father, I think he’s found a good balance of how to support me, and that’s a relationship that is forever evolving. But also, from a young age, he’s always demanded excellence from me, and you know, it’s always been a positive thing. I’m grateful to have that relationship because, growing up, the discipline of knowing how to work at a young age.”

Gabriel, who had a unique yet versatile path from UCF to Oklahoma to the Ducks, has left his mark everywhere. He made sure that everyone got a taste of his pure football blood. Dad, Garret Gabriel, has had some iconic sessions in Hawaii during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He had been instrumental behind Rainbow Warriors’ high-fly offense in the latter part of his legendary career. The marquee quarterback still stands seventh all-time in passing at Hawaii and fifth in touchdown passes. The history itself speaks volumes. It was as plain as a pikestaff that he would be the ideal guide to his son’s quintessential success.

”I think that’s just the relationship that we have of continuing to push and know that we had goals when I was younger, and things that I had for myself, and now I’m able to go accomplish them, so he’s always a reminder of that. He’s on this journey with me and how fun is that. We love every second of it,” Dillon added.

However, in case you didn’t know, it’s not that the Oregon quarterback’s last name holds the weight; there’s something legendary engraved on his first as well.

Dillon Gabriel’s first name narrates a story

Cincinnati Bengals Running Back Corey Dillon was the guy who moved Garret Gabriel during his career and propelled him to name his son ‘Dillon’. From a very tender age, his quarterback father had a deep-seated wish to see him a renowned footballer someday. Dillon neither disappointed his father nor marred the legacy of the person behind his first name.

A terrific season has passed, but Gabriel has already set his sights on January 1st. The stardom might be common, but the dedication and devotion are rare. There can be no question that he exceeded the expectations of his father and other preceders.

But quite surprisingly, the kid was unaware of the real significance of his name. When asked if he grew up watching the NFL vet play, he answered, ‘‘Honestly, I never knew, just being so young, I never got to watch him play or watch anything. But, I know the history of being named after Corey Dillon and my brothers Garrison and Roman–Roman Gabriel, obviously. So, just kind of football family thing.”

Dillon Gabriel might not be the GOAT of Oregon today, but if this is the momentum, the kid will overdo Marcus Mariota one day. Note that!