Dillon Gabriel built one of the most productive quarterback careers in college football before entering the NFL
His journey took him from Hawaii to UCF, then to Oklahoma and finally Oregon.
Along the way he became known for his accuracy, leadership and ability to produce both through the air and on the ground.
Gabriel’s college career ended with him among the most statistically productive quarterbacks in FBS history.
He finished with 189 total touchdowns and 155 passing touchdowns.
He also finished second in career passing yards with 18,722 yards and second in total yards with 19,931.
His 63 career starts were the most by an FBS quarterback.
That success naturally created interest in what would happen after college.
Gabriel entered the 2025 NFL Draft and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round with the 94th overall pick.
So what happened to Dillon Gabriel after college? The answer is not that he disappeared from football.
Instead he moved into the difficult transition from being a proven college starter to trying to establish himself as a long-term NFL quarterback.
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Table of Contents
Who Is Dillon Gabriel?
Dillon Gabriel is an American football quarterback who plays for the Cleveland Browns. He was born on December 28, 2000, in Mililani, Hawaii.1
He attended Mililani High School and became one of the most productive high school quarterbacks in Hawaii. Gabriel’s football background also includes his father Garrett Gabriel, who played quarterback at Hawaii.
His name has an NFL connection too. He was named after former Pro Bowl running back Corey Dillon. His family also used football-inspired names for his brothers.
At Mililani High School, Gabriel broke Tua Tagovailoa’s Hawaii state high school record for career passing yards. His success led him to the University of Central Florida where he quickly became an important part of the Knights’ offense.
Gabriel later transferred to Oklahoma before finishing his college career at Oregon. The three-school journey helped him develop experience in different offensive systems and against different levels of competition.
His college résumé eventually became difficult to ignore. Gabriel finished his career as the FBS all-time leader in total touchdowns with 189.
He also matched Case Keenum’s FBS record of 155 passing touchdowns.
Cleeeeeevveeeelannddddddd…. It’s love pic.twitter.com/WMRmoyjAbq
— Dillon Gabriel (@_dillongabriel_) May 16, 2025
Stats Table
| Category | Career Result |
|---|---|
| College teams | UCF, Oklahoma, Oregon |
| College starts | 63 |
| Passing yards | 18,722 |
| Total yards | 19,931 |
| Passing touchdowns | 155 |
| Total touchdowns | 189 |
| 2024 passing yards | 3,857 |
| 2024 passing touchdowns | 30 |
| 2024 completion percentage | 72.9% |
| 2024 rushing touchdowns | 7 |
| 2024 award | Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year |
| 2024 honor | Heisman Trophy finalist |
Dillon Gabriel’s College Football Journey
UCF Made Him a National Name
Gabriel began his college career at UCF. He became the team’s starting quarterback as a freshman and immediately showed why coaches had been interested in his left-handed passing ability.2
At UCF, Gabriel developed a reputation as a quarterback who could make quick decisions and deliver accurate throws. He also showed mobility and the ability to extend plays outside the pocket.
His time with the Knights established the foundation for the rest of his career. Although injuries affected parts of his UCF tenure, Gabriel left the program with a strong statistical résumé.
Oklahoma Became the Next Chapter
Gabriel transferred to Oklahoma for the 2023 season. The move gave him the opportunity to play for one of college football’s most recognizable programs.
In 2023 he started all 12 regular-season games for Oklahoma. He completed 266 of 384 passes for 3,660 yards. He threw 30 touchdown passes and only six interceptions.
Gabriel also contributed as a runner. He recorded 373 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.
His performance earned him first-team All-Big 12 honors and helped strengthen his reputation as an experienced quarterback capable of running a major college offense.
Oregon Was the Final College Stop
Gabriel transferred to Oregon for his final college season in 2024. The move turned out to be an important part of his NFL résumé.
He started all 14 games and helped Oregon win the Big Ten Championship. Gabriel completed 326 of 447 passes for 3,857 yards. He finished with 30 touchdown passes and seven rushing touchdowns.
His completion percentage reached a career-best 72.9 percent. Gabriel’s 2024 season also brought major individual recognition.
He was named a Heisman Trophy finalist and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. He was also selected as a third-team AP All-American.
By the end of his Oregon career, Gabriel had established himself as one of the most experienced quarterbacks in college football.
Dillon Gabriel Enters the NFL
The Cleveland Browns selected Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 94th overall pick.
The selection gave Gabriel a chance to compete at the highest level after spending years proving himself in college.
His transition was also notable because Gabriel entered the NFL as an experienced quarterback rather than a player with only one major college season.
He had played 63 college games as a starter and worked in multiple offensive environments. His size was one of the areas discussed during his NFL evaluation.
Gabriel is listed at 5 feet 11 inches and 205 pounds. He also entered the league as a left-handed passer.
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What Happened to Dillon Gabriel After College?
The simplest answer is that Gabriel became an NFL quarterback and saw meaningful playing time as a rookie.
During the 2025 regular season, Gabriel appeared in 10 games for Cleveland and started six. He completed 110 of 185 passes for 937 yards.
He threw seven touchdown passes and two interceptions. His completion rate was 59.5 percent and his passer rating was 80.8.
Gabriel also rushed 14 times for 86 yards. Those numbers do not tell the entire story of his rookie season.
The Browns were working through a complicated quarterback situation and Gabriel had to adjust from being a long-established college starter to learning the demands of an NFL offense.
Still, six starts as a rookie provided valuable experience that many young quarterbacks do not receive immediately.
Dillon Gabriel’s 2026 NFL Situation
Gabriel entered the 2026 season facing a different quarterback situation in Cleveland.3
The Browns had several quarterbacks competing for roles, including Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Taylen Green and Gabriel. Gabriel was not initially positioned as Cleveland’s starting quarterback.
During the 2026 preseason, however, Gabriel showed what he could do when given an opportunity.
In Cleveland’s preseason game against the New England Patriots on August 27, Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
He finished with a 157.9 passer rating. That performance came after a difficult first preseason appearance against Chicago and a one-pass appearance against Buffalo.
His strong outing against New England gave Browns coaches another look at his ability to operate the offense.
It also generated discussion about whether he could have value elsewhere if Cleveland’s crowded quarterback room limited his opportunities.
Why Is Dillon Gabriel Trending Again?
Gabriel’s name remains interesting because of the contrast between his college résumé and his current NFL role.
At Oregon, he was a Heisman finalist and one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in college football. In the NFL, he has had to compete for opportunities and establish himself behind more experienced quarterbacks.
That difference creates the classic “what happened after college?” search angle.
Fans who remember Gabriel from Oklahoma or Oregon may wonder why a quarterback with such impressive college statistics is not automatically a full-time NFL starter.
The answer is that college production does not guarantee an immediate starting role in the NFL.
Teams evaluate quarterbacks based on many factors including physical traits, offensive fit, decision-making, practice performance, competition and health.
Gabriel’s story is therefore still developing.
Dillon Gabriel’s Injury and Current Status
One of the biggest developments surrounding Gabriel in 2026 was a back injury. The Browns placed Gabriel on injured reserve on August 30 with a designation to return.
That meant he was not available to begin the season as part of Cleveland’s active roster but could potentially return later depending on his recovery and the team’s decisions.
The injury added another layer to Gabriel’s 2026 season because he was already navigating a competitive quarterback room.
His current situation is therefore best described as a young NFL quarterback recovering from injury while remaining under contract with Cleveland.
What Makes Dillon Gabriel Different?
One of Gabriel’s defining traits is his experience.
Many young NFL quarterbacks enter the league after only a few seasons as starters. Gabriel had already played at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon before reaching the NFL.
His left-handed throwing ability also makes him unusual. Left-handed quarterbacks are relatively uncommon in the NFL, which can require adjustments for teammates and offensive systems.
Gabriel has also shown that he can contribute as a runner. His college career included significant rushing production and he scored 34 rushing touchdowns according to his college résumé.
His ability to move outside the pocket gives offenses another option when passing lanes break down.
Dillon Gabriel’s NFL Future
Gabriel’s future will depend on what happens after he returns from his back injury and how the Browns’ quarterback situation develops.
His college résumé gives him an unusual amount of experience. His rookie season also gave him six NFL starts, which provided a meaningful introduction to professional football.
At the same time, the NFL is a different environment from college. Quarterbacks have less time to throw, defensive schemes are more complex and mistakes are punished quickly.
Gabriel therefore remains in an important development stage. His 2026 preseason performance against New England showed that he can still produce efficiently when given opportunities.
Whether those opportunities turn into a larger role will depend on circumstances within Cleveland and Gabriel’s own continued development.
For fans searching for Dillon Gabriel after college, there is no final chapter yet. His college career is complete, but his NFL career is still being written.
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FAQ’s
Who is Dillon Gabriel?
Dillon Gabriel is a professional American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. He played college football at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon before entering the NFL in 2025.
What happened to Dillon Gabriel after college?
After finishing his college career at Oregon, Gabriel was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He played in 10 games and started six during his rookie season.
Where did Dillon Gabriel play college football?
Gabriel played college football at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. He finished his career at Oregon in 2024.
How many touchdowns did Dillon Gabriel score in college?
Gabriel finished his college career with 189 total touchdowns. He also finished with 155 passing touchdowns.
How many passing yards did Dillon Gabriel have in college?
Gabriel finished his college career with 18,722 passing yards. That placed him second in FBS history at the end of his college career.
Conclusion
Dillon Gabriel’s journey after college is a story of adjustment rather than disappearance.
He left Oregon as a Heisman Trophy finalist and one of the most statistically accomplished quarterbacks in FBS history. He had 189 total touchdowns, 155 passing touchdowns and more than 18,700 passing yards across his college career.
For that reason, the question “What happened to Dillon Gabriel after college?” does not have a simple ending.
He made it to the NFL, gained starting experience and remains part of the Browns’ quarterback picture.
His college accomplishments are already part of football history. His professional story, however, is still unfolding.
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