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Dillon Gabriel Projected to Back Up $212 Million Quarterback After NFL Draft
© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

The Oregon Ducks experienced a lot of success in the 2024-25 season. Their first year in the Big Ten couldn't have gone any better.

They finished the regular season undefeated and breezed through Penn State to win the Big Ten Championship.

As a result, they got the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff and a first-round bye.

While the Ducks went on to lose to the Ohio State Buckeyes in their pursuit of a national championship, they had a historic season.

None of it would've been possible without quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

Dillon Gabriel projected to back up $212 million arm

Some college football fans remember Gabriel as the gunslinger from the University of Central Florida. He was one of the most entertaining players in college football and managed to turn some heads.

After attending UCF from 2019 to 2021, Gabriel transferred to Oklahoma from 2022 to 2023 before joining Oregon.

With the Ducks, Gabriel finished the season with plenty of honors, including First-Team All-American, as well as the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player award.

He set some NCAA records in the process, including the career touchdown passes mark with 155, tying Case Keenum for most all time.

Gabriel broke the record for most touchdowns responsible for and finished with 190.

Despite the big numbers, Gabriel isn't projected as a Day 1 quarterback talent in the NFL Draft.

Gabriel may be a Day 3 selection, so fit will matter a lot.

According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, he has Gabriel going in the fourth round, No. 135 overall to the Miami Dolphins.

He won't compete for the starting job, as Tua Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212 million contract prior to the start of last season.

Like Tagovailoa, Gabriel is a native of Hawaii.

Gabriel could be a solid backup to Tagovailoa. They're both lefties, so the quarterback's blindside stays the same and wouldn't require a re-shuffling of the offensive line. Like Tagovailoa, Gabriel is a native of Hawaii. 

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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