Dillon Gabriel was a highly productive and accomplished quarterback in college. This scouting report examines Gabriel’s strengths, weaknesses, and whether his college success can translate to success in the NFL.
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report and Film Analysis of Oregon Quarterback Dillon Gabriel
Measurables:
Height- 5’11”
Weight- 205 lbs
Player Background:
Dillon Gabriel’s father, Garrett Gabriel, was also a productive college quarterback who started two seasons at Hawaii. He attended Mililani High School, where he was a three-star quarterback recruit and committed to play football at Central Florida. In his freshman year, Gabriel started 12 games and led Central Florida to a 10-win season. During his junior year, he broke his left clavicle, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year.
In 2022 Gabriel transferred to Oklahoma, where he made an immediate impact, earning Second Team All-Big 12 honors in his first season. He followed up a productive 2022 season with an even more productive 2023 season, where he led the conference in both passing yards and passing touchdowns to earn First Team All-Big 12 honors. For his final college football season in 2024, Gabriel transferred to Oregon, where he guided the team to an undefeated regular season and a Big Ten Championship. His outstanding final season earned him the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award, and he finished in third place in Heisman voting. Gabriel finished his decorated college career as the all-time leader in career touchdowns responsible for with 189 total touchdowns.
Strengths:
Mentally, Gabriel is further along than most quarterbacks are coming out of college. He played 64 games in college, and it shows in the way he plays the game. Gabriel is like a point guard on the field who is an extremely accurate passer with great timing and touch. He does a tremendous job of accurately getting the ball to his playmakers and rarely misses throws to open receivers. Gabriel limits turnover-worthy plays and had just six interceptions on 447 pass attempts in 2024.
He has also shown the ability to go through his progressions, he always keeps his eyes downfield and he is very comfortable in the pocket. Gabriel rarely bails from clean pockets and he has a good feel for pressure. He was not pressured often at Oregon, but when he was pressured Gabriel was still very productive. He doesn’t possess great arm strength, but he is an accurate deep ball passer. Gabriel has good mobility, and while he prefers to make plays with his arm he can pick up yards with his legs if needed.
Weaknesses:
Gabriel has physical limitations that could make life harder for him in the NFL and limit his potential. He is an extremely small quarterback, standing at 5’11” and weighing 205 pounds. Gabriel’s arm strength is adequate, but not great. There are throws that Gabriel isn’t able to make, and he occasionally under throws deep balls. Gabriel is also an older prospect at 24 years old. At his age and size, there is less upside for significant development compared to other quarterback prospects.
Gabriel was solid under pressure when he was pressured, but he had a tremendous offensive line at Oregon and rarely faced pressure. While Gabriel is a good processor, he does occasionally stare down receivers and hold on to the ball too long.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Gabriel is a polished quarterback prospect with good mechanics, great accuracy, and advanced decision-making skills for a college quarterback. However, his size is a serious concern, and scheme fit will be important for him. If Gabriel goes to a Shanahan-style offense that allows him to play point guard and win with timing and accuracy he could have success in the NFL. His upside is not as great as other quarterback prospects in the draft, but he would be a good late day-two, early day-three pick with the potential to be a high-quality backup or even solid starting quarterback.
Prospect Grade:
Late Third Round
Main Photo: Vasha Hunt – Imagn Images
