What's Oregon Football Going to Be with Dillon Gabriel Taking Over at Quarterback?

In one crucial way Dillon Gabriel is the perfect quarterback for the challenge facing the Oregon Ducks as they take on a national championship race and their first year in the Big Ten.

Gabriel understands the fickle nature of the spotlight and won't lose focus. At Big Ten Media Day he said, “Hype is cheap, talk is cheap. Everything that everyone is talking about preseason is extremely cool and exciting and I acknowledge that. But for the most part, it’s what have you done for me lately? I’m focused on the now, on the moment, to be the best version of myself for these guys in Eugene right now. That’s all we’re focused on. We’re taking it one day at a time.”

When the NFL evaluates quarterbacks, it focuses on measurables. They want a quarterback to be a certain size, to have the ability to throw the 25-yard out with the speed of a Nolan Ryan fastball, a tight spiral with the trajectory of a clothesline. They want a guy who is 6-4, 240, like Will Howard of Ohio State.

Dillon Gabriel is listed at 6-0, 200. His ball wobbles in the air. To reach certain parts of the field, he has to throw a rainbow instead of a rocket.

The thing is, however, a guy doesn't have to have those classic NFL measurables to be a great college quarterback. It's more about leadership. It's more about poise.

As a former starting quarterback at UCF and Oklahoma, Gabriel understands about pressure and expectations. In fall camp last season he told reporters, “Fortunately, none of that matters. The name of the game is that it's the ultimate team sport. And that's all I'm focused on is winning, having fun with my brothers, sometimes just keeping it simple and maintaining. The rest will take care of itself. So for me, (it’s about) finding ways to go 1-0 every week, that's what keeps everyone happy.”

In the biggest game that the Mililani, Hawaii native ever played, he and the Sooners trailed number three Texas 30-27 with 1:15 to go in the fourth quarter. Gabriel drove the team 75 yards in five plays, connecting on three straight passes to reach the Longhorn 20. A pass interference penalty got them to the 6. Gabriel ran for three yards. Then, with 25 seconds to go in a collapsing pocket, the senior quarterback found Nic Anderson all alone in the left corner of the end zone and delivered a strike for the win. It was Anderson's first catch of the game. The Sooners won the Red River Rivalry, 33-30. Texas would go on to make the College Football Playoff.

Speaking to the media after the game, Gabriel said, “Just proud of everyone coming together, controlling the chaos. It’s something you dream of as a little kid.”

OU head coach Brent Venables told the AP, He’s the calmest guy I’ve ever been around at the quarterback position. He was fearless. I don’t put any limits on what Dillon can do."

The strength of Gabriel's game is his leadership, his ability to bond and connect with teammates. Oregon will face incredible scrutiny and attention this year. Gabriel's "no bad vibes" cool will define the quiet resolve and intensity loyalty within this offense and this team. The biggest moments will never be too big.

Gabriel is the preseason favorite for the Heisman Trophy. At Oregon fall camp, new teammate Evan Stewart said, "I think he can do it. I have no doubt in Dillon. He's definitely a great quarterback. We'll piece it together and we get the right team, we should be able to do it."

"I've never really had a quarterback of his caliber, I'll put it that way. As in years-wise, him being a senior, and him seeing a lot and playing with a lot of dudes who I've heard of and looked up to. It's definitely a good thing to watch every single day of how he prepares himself and how he handles his business,"

The Ducks are deep and talented, but in the highest-pressure moments, the readiness and composure are what allows a group to perform according to their preparation.

And that's why they could win it all.