Dillon Gabriel is an American professional football player, who gained popularity as an outstanding college quarterback and a young NFL player. Moreover, he attracts attention due to his cultural background and a fascinating journey from Hawaii to professional football.
Who is Dillon Gabriel?
Dillon Gabriel is an American football quarterback who belongs to Filipino and Native Hawaiian ethnicity. This American sportsman was born in Hawaii in the area of Mililani, and his parents were also involved in sports – his father was engaged in college football, while his mother participated in college softball. Consequently, it may be mentioned that Filipino ancestry is passed down by his mother’s side and Native Hawaiian ancestry by his father’s side.
Dillon Gabriel Biography Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Dillon Gabriel |
| Date of Birth | December 28, 2000 |
| Birthplace | Mililani, Hawaii, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Filipino & Native Hawaiian descent |
| Profession | NFL Quarterback |
| Current Team | Cleveland Browns |
| College Teams | UCF Knights, Oklahoma Sooners, Oregon Ducks |
| Draft Year | 2025 (NFL) |
Dillon Gabriel Age and Date of Birth
Dillon Gabriel was born on December 28, 2000. This means that he is 25 years old in 2026. He hails from Mililani, Hawaii, which is a culturally rich city in the middle of the island of O‘ahu, with a predominant Polynesian and Asian population.
Dillon Gabriel’s Childhood and Background
Dillon spent his childhood in an athletic environment in Hawaii. His father, Garrett Gabriel, played as a quarterback in the University of Hawaii, while his mother, Dori Gabriel, played college softball. This upbringing in Hawaii brought Dillon in contact with various cultures, particularly that of Native Hawaiians and Filipinos.
Dillon Gabriel Family Details
| Relation | Name | Notes |
| Father | Garrett Gabriel | Former college QB (Hawaii) |
| Mother | Dori Gabriel | Former college softball player |
| Older Brother | Garrison Gabriel | Played college volleyball; manages Dillon’s affairs |
| Younger Brother | Roman Gabriel | College basketball player; named after NFL QB Roman Gabriel |
| Fiancée | Zo Caswell | Childhood sweetheart, Hawaii native |
Gabriel’s family reflects his athletic lineage and Pacific heritage, with strong influences from both Hawaiian and Filipino cultures.
Dillon Gabriel Education
Dillon played high school football at Mililani High School in Hawaii. In addition, part of his education was done at Punahou School, which is one of the best private schools in Honolulu. He had a love for playing football even from the time he played youth league football, and that continued to grow into college football as a quarterback.
College Career Overview
Gabriel’s collegiate journey is a masterclass in adaptation, showcasing high-level production at every single stop:
- UCF Knights (2019–2021): Gabriel stepped in as a true freshman and made an immediate impact, throwing for over 3,600 yards. He anchored the Knights’ explosive offense until a collarbone injury cut his 2021 season short.
- Oklahoma Sooners (2022–2023): He transferred to Norman, reuniting with his former UCF offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby. Across two seasons, he stabilized the Sooners’ offense, leading them to a 10-3 record in 2023 and orchestrating a memorable game-winning drive in the Red River Rivalry against Texas.
- Oregon Ducks (2024): Utilizing his final year of eligibility as a graduate transfer, Gabriel led the Ducks to an undefeated regular season, a Big Ten Championship, and a spot in the College Football Playoff, capping off his college career at the 2025 Rose Bowl.
Overall College Statistics
Gabriel finished his career as the ultimate iron man at quarterback, setting an FBS record with 63 career games started.
Passing Statistics
| School (Years) | Completions / Attempts | Comp % | Passing Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions |
| UCF (3 yrs) | 554 / 913 | 60.7% | 8,037 | 70 | 14 |
| Oklahoma (2 yrs) | 496 / 751 | 66.0% | 6,828 | 55 | 12 |
| Oregon (1 yr) | 326 / 447 | 72.9% | 3,857 | 30 | 6 |
| Total Career | 1,376 / 2,111 | 65.2% | 18,722 | 155 | 32 |
Rushing & Total Production
- Rushing Carries: 424
- Rushing Yards: 1,209 yards
- Rushing Touchdowns: 33
- Total Yards: 19,931 yards
- Total Touchdowns Responsible For: 189
NCAA FBS Records Held/Tied:
- Most Career Touchdowns Responsible For: 189 (1st all-time)
- Most Career Touchdown Passes: 155 (Tied with Case Keenum for 1st all-time)
- Most Career Points Responsible For: 1,136 (1st all-time)
- Most Career Passing Yards: 18,722 (2nd all-time behind Case Keenum)
Awards, Honors, and Nominations
Gabriel’s steady execution earned him massive accolades, particularly during his final seasons in the Big 12 and Big Ten.
National & Major Award Nominations
- Heisman Trophy Finalist (2024): Finished 3rd in the official voting behind winner Travis Hunter and runner-up Ashton Jeanty.
- Manning Award Finalist: (2023)
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 10 Finalist: (2023)
- Maxwell Award & Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist: (2023)
- NFF National Scholar-Athlete & Bobby Bowden Scholar-Athlete Award Recipient: (2024)
All-American & All-Conference Honors
- First-team All-American: (2024)
- Big Ten Most Valuable Player: (2024)
- Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year: (2024)
- Big Ten Quarterback of the Year: (2024)
- First-team All-Big Ten: (2024)
- First-team All-Big 12: (2023)
- Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year: (2022)
- Second-team All-Big 12: (2022)
- Second-team All-AAC: (2020)
- Gasparilla Bowl MVP: (2019)
Following this historic college campaign, Dillon Gabriel entered the professional ranks when he was selected in the 3rd round (94th overall pick) of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
Dillon Gabriel Physical Appearance (Height, Weight & More)
| Feature | Stat |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Build | Athletic, strong quarterback physique |
These measurements are from official NFL combine and professional profiles.
Dillon Gabriel Career Journey
Early Career Beginnings
Dillon got his start in football when he played as a record-breaking quarterback for Mililani High School in Hawaii. Dillon was a very sought after prospect and he went on to play for UCF initially but transferred to Oklahoma and Oregon thereafter becoming one of the best quarterbacks in college football. His time in college was marked by numerous records for passing yards.
Brand Collaborations and Modeling Work
Gabriel, who is an emerging NFL player, has been involved in brand endorsement activities common among well-known athletes, specifically with clothing brands, particularly those from his native Hawaii. At the same time, he has not been associated with any global celebrity-type brand endorsements thus far.
Breakup and Public Statements
Dillon Gabriel. In fact, he remains engaged to his long-time girlfriend Zo Caswell, whom he proposed to in 2024 and plans to marry.
Dillon Gabriel Social Media Presence
| Platform | Username | Followers (Approx) |
| @dillongabriel | Highly followed by fans | |
| Twitter/X | @dillongabriel | Varies by fan pages |
| TikTok | Not widely known | Some highlight reels |
Dillon Gabriel Content Style and Audience
The public image of Gabriel is based on athletic achievements, team leadership, and personal successes. His target audiences are NFL fans, college football fans, and people from Hawaii and the Pacific region. His content style is inspiring and familial.
Dillon Gabriel Net Worth and Income
| Category | Estimate |
| NFL Rookie Contract (2025) | Multimillion-dollar deal |
| Estimated Net Worth | Several million USD (NFL salary + endorsements) |
| Income Sources | NFL salary, appearances, local sponsorships |
Precise figures vary, but as a professional NFL player, his earnings are significant. (Exact numbers are privately held.)
Dillon Gabriel Lifestyle and Favorites
Dillon loves the culture of Hawaii, being around his family, and his active physical life. As a Hawaiian citizen, he embraces the culture of his people and their community in activities outside football. He is known to be a very cultural person who participates in various traditions in his culture whenever he is not playing football.
Dillon Gabriel Controversies and News
Dillon Gabriel is mostly a respected individual. He only had one controversy involving clarifications regarding statements on “entertainers vs competitors,” which some people thought referred to another individual.
Interesting Facts About Dillon Gabriel Ethnicity
- He is named after former NFL running back Corey Dillon.
- Gabriel was a fan of Marcus Mariota, another NFL quarterback from Hawaii.
- All of his brothers are also athletes who are named after NFL players.
- Despite having a small frame for an NFL quarterback, he has become one of the greatest college quarterbacks to have played the game.
Conclusion
Dillon Gabriel is an exceptional young quarterback for the National Football League who has Filipino and Native Hawaiian ancestry. From his Hawaiian origins to his success in NFL football, he constantly impresses the fans with his talent and culture. With his increasing popularity as an NFL player, Dillon Gabriel is emerging as a role model for Pacific Islanders in sports.
FAQs
When was Dillon Gabriel drafted into the NFL, and by which team?
Following his historic collegiate career, Dillon Gabriel was selected in the 3rd round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 94th overall pick by the Cleveland Browns.
What are Dillon Gabriel’s final, complete college career statistics?
Over 64 total games played across his stints at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon.
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