Dillon Gabriel, the most decorated Oregon Duck, is headed to New York this week. He was among the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy, following an incredible season under coach Dan Lanning that led his team to an unprecedented 13-0 record. His impressive performance and determination earned him the Big Ten Player of the Year title. We will waited a few more days to see if his stats are enough to surpass Travis Hunter and secure the Heisman trophy, but his NFL prospects are currently uncertain.
Gabriel, a skilled pocket passer, has completed 297 of 406 passes for 3,558 yards, 28 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while also rushing for seven touchdowns. His performance as a first-year leader for the Ducks is undeniably strong. He has a sharp football IQ, demonstrating an ability to throw deep with precision, allowing playmakers to make plays. However, he does have some flaws. During a discussion about Gabriel’s potential as an NFL prospect, scout John Middlekauff shared a challenging perspective on his podcast, Kauff on Campus.
”Two things can be true. You can be an awesome player in college and not be a great NFL prospect. It’s not even debatable who the better quarterback prospect in the NFL is in that game, and it’s the guy who’s not that accurate. Well, why? He’s six foot, look, I don’t know what his exact measurements, what would you get 6′, 235; I mean, he’s huge, he’s got a massive arm, but he’s inaccurate, but you got that. You know when Myles Garrett’s chasing you around. Gabriel is really small. He’s just not very big. He was elite in that game. I mean, he was slinging it around,” the veteran analyst shed light on a huge inbuilt flaw of the 23-year-old Oregon sensation.
Longitudinally judging the effect of height on football performance is more complex than it seems. While height does play a role, shorter players still have important positions on a football team. However, undersized players may face challenges in the NFL draft, particularly when it comes to playing in a vertical passing offense, which may hinder Gabriel due to his height.
“Dillon Gabriel is small, but he can really play, having transitioned from UCF to Oklahoma. However, I don’t think he will get drafted because he’s just too tiny,” Middlekauff stated bluntly. On the flip side, Gabriel’s Heisman odds are rising, a situation that doesn’t please Coach Prime.
Coach Prime is not happy with Dillon Gabriel’s ascent in the Heisman race
Deion Sanders has been a strong advocate for his player, Travis Hunter, supporting his candidacy throughout the season. He admitted he has already voted for Hunter, calling him the most deserving candidate for the trophy in Times Square. But it’s not just Hunter competing; Shedeur Sanders is also in the running. Deion has expressed frustration with the media for not giving his son enough attention as a Heisman contender, and Gabriel’s success has further fueled this frustration.
Shedeur Sanders has accumulated 368 more passing yards, seven more touchdowns, and two more interceptions in one fewer game than Gabriel. Yet the voters have placed Hunter alongside Gabriel. Deion expressed his discontent on social media, posting, “Lawd Jesus!” to indicate his frustration with perceived bias among fans. Despite this, it’s important to note that while Oregon remains undefeated, the Buffs have suffered three significant losses. Therefore, Sanders falling short in the Heisman race is not unreasonable.
Conversely, Shedeur Sanders appears to be a stronger NFL prospect after experts highlighted a legitimate flaw in Gabriel’s resume.
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