NCAAF News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

Power Rankings

Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

UCF’s McKenzie Milton Sends Strong Five-Word Message on Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Charles Negron | Last updated Feb 27, 2025 1:41 PM ET

UCF Knights legend McKenzie Milton is back in east Orlando, reunited with Scott Frost, jumpstarting his college coaching career as the program's new quarterbacks coach. Milton’s career as a quarterback was halted on Black Friday 2018 after a gruesome injury threatened to have his leg amputated following a collision with a South Florida Bulls defender.

The former signal-caller never started again for UCF. After the season, Milton mentored Dillon Gabriel, formerly committed to the Army Black Knights, and convinced the quarterback to come to UCF under former head coach Josh Heupel.

Milton’s rehab process in Orlando was a long journey, and he ultimately decided to finish his career with Mike Norvell's Florida State Seminoles.

This decision led to the torch’s passing with his former teammate at Mililani High School in O’ahu, Hawaii, to lead UCF.

Now, Milton claims Gabriel is the “Best QB in the draft.” Milton took to social media on Jan. 26 to show Gabriel love ahead of the NFL draft.

Best QB in the draft https://t.co/c0l21FqbDk
— McKenzie Milton (@McKenzieMil10) January 26, 2025

During Gus Malzahn's 2021 inaugural campaign at UCF, Gabriel suffered a shoulder injury against the Louisville Cardinals, which sidelined him for the remainder of the season. At the culmination of the season, Gabriel decided to enter the transfer portal.

This would be the Knights' first major player to enter the portal with the NIL era just underway.

Gabriel verbally committed to joining the UCLA Bruins before ultimately deciding to play the 2022 and 2023 seasons in Norman, Okla., for the Oklahoma Sooners. When an enticing NIL package from the Oregon Ducks came calling, Gabriel continued his cross-continental trek across the United States with the portal now taking him to Eugene, Ore.

Gabriel donned No. 8 at Oregon with the blessing of former Ducks quarterback and fellow Hawaii native Marcus Mariota.

For Dillon Gabriel - born and raised in Hawaii - the culture of the islands has shaped who he has become.

Now at @oregonfootball, Gabriel gets to wear No. 8, which was once worn by one of his idols Marcus Mariota.

“Dillon understands he is now the role model for Hawaii’s youth"… pic.twitter.com/Ev8BW36ll4
— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) October 26, 2024

Under the tutelage of Dan Lanning, Gabriel led the Ducks to win their first Big Ten title during the program's first year in the league. Gabriel threw for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns and six interceptions. The quarterback also added seven touchdowns on the ground in 2024.

Now, with his eyes set on making a 53-man roster on the mainland, the words of Gabriel's former teammate weighs heavy as the signal-caller prepares for the NFL combine. There is no doubt about the mutual respect the two players have for each other as competitors, Hawaii natives and early connection at UCF.

#UCF QB Dillon Gabriel shares his thoughts for the first time since QB McKenzie Milton entered the NCAA Transfer Portal: "I know our paths will cross again and that is why I'm not worried at all," Gabriel wrote on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/0p8xBRoB7l
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) December 5, 2020

Gabriel leaves the college football ranks as the career leader in FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) history for passing touchdowns at 155 and total touchdowns, both rushing and passing, at 183, a record previously held by the Houston Cougars standout Case Keenum.

Pro Football & Sports Network's Joe DeLeone's latest NFL mock draft projects the Miami Dolphins will select Gabriel in the fifth round with the No. 151 overall selection

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

More must-reads: