The proverbial book on Dillon Gabriel’s college career has reached its conclusion. It was a long-drawn novel spanning 6 years and entailing 64 games. Alas, he’s now played his last-ever snap in CFB. December earmarks the divergence of players down their separate ways. For Gabriel, he’ll traverse the most scenic yet treacherous path- The road to the NFL. He’s preparing for the Draft Combine next month.
The Combine entails more than just physical and skill-based prognosis. It’s an opportunity for franchises to weigh players’ intangibles as well. Suitors for Dillon Gabriel will speak to him for the first time in an NFL setting. Owing to this, it seems like he’s preparing for more than just his Xs and Os. A franchise quarterback has a certain poise, a certain aura, as the kids will call it. If Gabriel wants to develop into one, he’ll need his demeanor and the semantics to match his quarterbacking. One person confronted him with a hypothetical scenario that could soon transpire into reality.
The Heisman finalist l guested on the “Stacking the Box” podcast to talk about his season and future prospects. Host Cody Williams asked him a question pertaining to the Draft process. “You’re going into this interview for the NFL. Say you have a paper resume that you’re handing to a GM, a front office. What is the first line that you’re going to try to sell an NFL team on Dillon Gabriel?” he asked. “Watch the tape,” stated Gabriel rather cheekily. He proceeded to elaborate on what his pitch to franchises would be.
“I still believe I haven’t played my best football. I also know that my experience has me best prepared for that transition,” he said. The glass half-full perspective would be that his vast experience across multiple programs and systems makes him more NFL-ready than most prospects. That said, one NFL franchise being mentioned as a potential landing spot is in a predicament under centre.
Dillon Gabriel a solution to franchise yearning for a plug-and-play QB2
Trading Eugene for South Beach does sound enticing, doesn’t it? The Miami Dolphins have cropped up as suitors for Dillon Gabriel. On first instinct, this doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The Dolphins just gave Tua Tagovailoa a multi-year contract. He’s firmly atop the depth chart. However, scratching beneath the conspicuous surface does show why he’s being weighed up by Mike McDaniel.
For starters, the elephant in the room- Tua’s injury woes. He’s been plagued by a multitude of injuries and, more concerningly, concussions. This season was essentially a write-off from early on due to Tua missing games due to the concussion protocol. Having Dillon Gabriel back him up, at least initially, could be shrewd. As aforementioned, he’s vastly experienced. Slotting in immediately will, in theory, not be a problem for him. He’s a lefty, too. Just like Tua. The dynamics of the offense can remain the same. Current QB2 Skylar Thompson has not done enough with his opportunity.
The consensus notion is that Gabriel won’t be a high draft pick. The Dolphins will hence be in a low-risk, high-reward scenario. Dillon Gabriel will hope wherever he lands, he’s inhabiting an environment conducive to growth. “I definitely dream of more than just getting [to the NFL]. I’m super excited to know that the work is all in front of me. Just being right where my feet are and being comfortable with the unknown will allow me to be successful.” he said.
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