The Heisman hype is already roaring high, as we are only a week away from the long-awaited NYC bash. We never get narrowed down finalist names for the trophy candidacy, but if you’re a keen follower, we can assume what names you have popping into your head right now. It’s, without fail, the elite Colorado Buffs superstar Travis Hunter and the newbie Broncos sensation. No wonder they have earned their spot truly, thoroughly. They made a solid case to rewrite the history through a non-quarterback winner. Dillon Gabriel and Cam Ward will be the most fitting to clench the prize if we give a second line of choices. But after watching the latest Oregon banger, David Pollack reshuffled the unofficial order a bit to put the 24-year-old at the helm.

Dan Lanning was spotted dumbfounded in Oregon’s locker room on a sparkling night, hugging and clasping hands with the boys, creating an awe-melting moment at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Ducks played the spoilsport in James Franklin playoff hope, finishing unbeaten following a complete team battle. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Tez Johnson were the same alpha they had been throughout the season, taking the team to an unprecedented 13-0 record. Gabriel, the Heisman underrated (in comparison to Hunter and Jeanty) showed the world why the trophy suits in his hand the most. 4 impressive touchdowns, 22 of 32 for 283 yards, six carries in 17 yards, and whatnot! Pollack, in his podcast, rightly argued ‘‘I just tell man watching Dillon Gabriel like we are going to talk about Heisman and I got to get my vote in.”

”I think in the next I think tomorrow or something but like if you’re telling me this is a clear-cut easy decision and if you’re not putting Dillon Gabriel in this conversation and Cam Skattebo in this conversation like, I think it’s gotten a little bit bigger than we thought but Dillon Gabriel dude it’s just he makes it go, man, the poise, the quick trigger the arm angles.”, Pollack expressed his blown out impression of the Ducks QB and there’s no fluff in this.

Skattebo, Arizona State’s running back, stole the spotlight, leading the Sun Devils to a 45-19 win over Iowa State to clinch the Big 12 championship, justifying his Heisman quest with a signature pose. After a hard-nosed game, the RB complained of not getting enough respect. While he might not be the favorite after Jeanty, Hunter, or Gabríel, he deserves some attention undoubtedly.

Coming back to Gabriel, he amassed a whopping 275 of 374 pass attempts for 3,275 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 13 games played. He also aced the run game with 175 yards and seven touchdowns on 57 carries. He is technically a distant third in the Heisman race after Hunter and Jeanty, but man, the kid is a dog. New York has to be kind to him.

After the spectacular Big 10 championship victory this Saturday, opponent coach James Franklin also couldn’t help but appreciate what Dillon Gabriel has in him. He was legit impressed with his unmatched calm, control, and acute decision-making prowess that led the Ducks to a stellar 45-37.

The Oregon QB might not lead the night in New York next week, but he remains the unsung hero of the season.

Dillon Gabriel turns the head as an Oregon frontrunner 

Dillon has come a long way since a lackluster 2023. We often go by the phrase never judge a man by his past, but the Ducks’ game changer cemented it in brute reality. The Big Ten Football X/Twitter gave him a heartfelt tribute ahead of the championship match. Their official Twitter page posted a video of the Ducks’ quarterback detailing his awe-inspiring journey to the championship game.

You believe it or not, the NCAA all-time career leader in total TDs said he was pretty skeptical about his future even a year back and how joining forces with the Ducks turned his fate around.

Dillon quoted himself as a product of patience. He knows how a long-term vision coupled with undivided attention to the daily deposits can do wonders in a year, and he is doing exactly the same.

He joined Lanning’s squad on December 9, 2023, after a short tenure with the Oklahoma Sooners, and the decision paid him back in a number of ways. Among all the boosts under his belt, Dillon keeps the people of his program at the top behind his quintessential success and flawless blend-up.

He lived his childhood dream and is vying for more with a top-tier team falling on his back.