Dillon Gabriel recognized as one of college football’s top QBs ahead of the 2024 season

Throughout the Oregon Ducks 2023 season, anyone who was paying attention knew they were witnessing greatness watching Bo Nix. Every week, Nix did something spectacularly with consistency, and he finished the year with a 77.4 completion percentage, the most efficient rate in NCAA history.

Ducks fans didn’t have to wait too long for the uncertainty of who would replace Nix to pass. Days after the transfer portal opened, Oklahoma’s star QB Dillon Gabrile entered the portal, and Oregon had its successor. Gabriel is a worthy replacement, and recently he was named one of the country’s top 10 quarterbacks by USA TODAY writer Paul Myerberg.

Gabriel has had an illustrious college career thus far. In three years at UCF and two at Oklahoma, Gabriel racked up 14,865 passing yards, 1,065 rushing yards, and 152 total TDs, while completing 63.4% of his passes. Gabriel had his best season in 2023, finishing with 3,660 passing yards, 30 TDs, and a 69.3 completion percentage.

Just like Nix, there was a time last season when Gabriel was thrown into Heisman Trophy conversations, and after his fantastic performance in the Red River Showdown (the annual rivalry game between Oklahoma and Texas), Gabriel was seen by many as the Heisman favorite.

Now, ahead of the 2024 season, the weight rests heavy on Gabriel’s shoulders, as he is challenged with bringing Oregon to the lofty heights expected of them this year. Gabriel isn’t the only one holding the weight, but so much of a team’s success is dependent on the play of their quarterback.

Oregon kicks off its 2024 season in ten days, marking the start of Gabriel’s sixth and final season of college football. He and the Ducks both have a great opportunity to win their first-ever national championship, but there’s a lot of football to be played before the College Football Playoff is on the table.

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