UCF Knights icon McKenzie Milton has returned to east Orlando, teaming up with Scott Frost to kickstart his college coaching career as the new quarterbacks coach for the program. Milton’s journey as a quarterback was cut short on Black Friday in 2018 when a serious injury from a collision with a South Florida Bulls player raised concerns about amputating his leg. Following that season, Milton took on a mentoring role for Dillon Gabriel, who had originally committed to the Army Black Knights, and persuaded him to join UCF under former head coach Josh Heupel.
Milton’s rehabilitation in Orlando was a challenging process, and he ultimately chose to conclude his playing career with Mike Norvell’s Florida State Seminoles. This decision marked a transition of leadership to his former teammate from Mililani High School in O’ahu, Hawaii, who now leads UCF.
Milton now asserts that Gabriel is the “best QB in the draft.” On January 26, he expressed his support for Gabriel on social media in anticipation of the NFL draft.
Best QB in the draft 💯 https://t.co/c0l21FqbDk
— McKenzie Milton (@McKenzieMil10) January 26, 2025
During Gus Malzahn’s first season at UCF in 2021, Gabriel suffered a shoulder injury against the Louisville Cardinals, which led to him missing the rest of the season. At the end of the season, Gabriel chose to enter the transfer portal, marking the first significant player move for the Knights as the NIL era began. He initially committed to the UCLA Bruins but later opted to spend the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman, Oklahoma. When an attractive NIL offer came in from the Oregon Ducks, Gabriel continued his journey across the U.S. and transferred to Eugene, Oregon. At Oregon, he wore No. 8 with the approval of former Ducks quarterback and fellow Hawaii native Marcus Mariota.
For Dillon Gabriel – born and raised in Hawaii – the culture of the islands has shaped who he has become.
Now at @oregonfootball, Gabriel gets to wear No. 8, which was once worn by one of his idols Marcus Mariota.
“Dillon understands he is now the role model for Hawaii’s youth"… pic.twitter.com/Ev8BW36ll4
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 26, 2024
With Dan Lanning’s guidance, Gabriel steered the Ducks to their first Big Ten championship in the program’s debut year in the conference. He amassed 3,857 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while also contributing seven rushing touchdowns in 2024. Currently aiming to secure a spot on a 53-man roster on the mainland, Gabriel considers the impactful words of his former teammate as he readies himself for the NFL combine. Their deep mutual respect as competitors, fellow Hawaiians, and former UCF teammates is unmistakable.
#UCF QB Dillon Gabriel shares his thoughts for the first time since QB McKenzie Milton entered the NCAA Transfer Portal: "I know our paths will cross again and that is why I'm not worried at all," Gabriel wrote on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/0p8xBRoB7l
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) December 5, 2020
Gabriel concludes his college football career as the all-time leader in FBS history with 155 passing touchdowns and a total of 183 touchdowns combined from both rushing and passing, breaking the previous record set by Houston Cougars star Case Keenum. According to Joe DeLeone’s latest NFL mock draft for Pro Football & Sports Network, the Miami Dolphins are projected to pick Gabriel in the fifth round with the 151st overall pick.
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