Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel was quick to make a name for himself after taking the Denver Broncos QB Bo Nix’s spot in the 2024 college football season.
While fans were worried about how the Ducks would maintain last season’s thrilling momentum as Nix moved on to the next part of his career, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning left no stone unturned to continue building his dynasty with the Ducks.
Nick Saban Compares Dillon Gabriel to Tua Tagovailoa
One of the most important aspects of Lanning’s plan was recruiting former Oklahoma Sooners star Gabriel, who has been showing off his electrifying skills throughout the season. He’s carried his team to the No. 1 spot following the Week 8 win against Ryan Day’s Ohio State.
Gabriel has thrown for 2,080 yards while scoring 15 touchdowns and throwing four interceptions, making him one of the top contenders for the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
During Nick Saban’s latest appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the former Alabama coach drew similarities between the Oregon QB and Miami Dolphins star Tua Tagovailoa.
“This guy is a complete player. He’s got a lot of grit. He reminds me of another Hawaiian player we had — Tua — and I think he’s going to be an outstanding pro player. … I like that type: left-handed, Hawaiian. Yeah. Works out.”
“The No. 1 thing about the QB is he’s going to distribute the ball every play in the game. So you’ve got to be able to trust the ball, who’s going to make good choices and decisions. To me, Dillon Gabriel, [Miami QB] Cam Ward, and Drew Allar at Penn State have been the guys that have been most consistent at that,” Saban added.
Nick Saban: "The No. 1 thing about the QB is he's gonna distribute the ball every play in the game. So you've got to be able to trust the ball who's gonna make good choices and decisions. To me, Dillon Gabriel, Cam Ward and Drew Allar at Penn State have been the guys that have… https://t.co/XTYI6QWQaO
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) October 26, 2024
Gabriel Gives Back to His Hawaiian Roots
In May 2024, Gabriel hosted an exciting event at his alma mater Mililani High School, where he made a heartwarming gesture to show support for the school’s current football team and donated new uniforms for the crew.
Gabriel understands his responsibility to celebrate his culture, talking about the importance of proving himself from that standpoint.
“The journey of playing at a young age in Hawaii to now, you understand that you represent so much more than yourself,” he told ESPN. “I understand that I represent the state of Hawaii, and everyone who has done it before me has done it that way.”
The No. 1-ranked Oregon Ducks are set to go face to face against Illinois at 12:30 p.m. PT, which can be enjoyed by the fans on CBS.