Gabriel was born on December 28, 2000, in Mililani, Hawaii, into a family with a strong athletic background. His father, Garrett Gabriel, played college football as a quarterback for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors from 1987 to 1990, while his mother, Dori Gabriel, was a collegiate softball player for the Loyola Marymount Lions.[1][2]
Gabriel grew up playing multiple sports, primarily baseball and football. Although he enjoyed baseball, he found the game slowing down as he got older and gravitated toward football for its faster pace and the rush and excitement it offered. Early in his youth, Gabriel played several positions including running back, wide receiver, and safety, only fully transitioning to the quarterback role between the ages of 10 and 12. His decision to focus on playing quarterback was partly inspired by his father, but emphasizes that pressure was never put on him.[3]
Rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports,[11] Gabriel initially committed to play college football for the Army Black Knights during his senior year of high school. However, after receiving offers from Georgia, UCF, and USC, he decommitted and ultimately chose the University of Central Florida (UCF), drawn by the opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback position and earn immediate playing time. At that time, UCF was conducting an open competition for the starting role following the severe knee injury of McKenzie Milton, Gabriel's close friend and former Mililani teammate, who suffered a dislocated knee during the 2018 regular season that required multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.[10][12][13][14]
College career
UCF
Gabriel began his freshman year at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 2019 as the backup quarterback to Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush. He assumed the starting role during the season opener and became the starter by Week 2, ultimately starting the final 12 games of the season. He led the Knights to a 10–3 record, capped by a 48–25 victory[15] over Marshall in the Gasparilla Bowl.[16][17][18][19] For the season, he completed 236 of 398 passes for 3,653 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.[20]
In his sophomore year, Gabriel led the Knights to a 6–4 record and an appearance in the Boca Raton Bowl, completing 21 of 45 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns in a 49–23 loss.[21]
On September 17, 2021, during a regular-season game against Louisville, Gabriel was injured on the final play of the game—a multi-lateral attempt at a miracle touchdown by the Knights. He was carted off the field, and X-rays taken afterward revealed a broken left clavicle. Although the injury did not require surgery, it ultimately ended his season early.[22]
On November 27, 2021, Gabriel announced on social media that he would be transferring from UCF.[23]
Oklahoma
On December 16, 2021, Gabriel initially announced he would transfer to UCLA.[24] However, less than three weeks later, on January 3, 2022, he announced he would instead transfer to Oklahoma.[25]
On December 4, 2023, after two seasons with the Sooners, Gabriel announced that he would be leaving Oklahoma and entering the NCAA transfer portal again.[26]
Oregon
Gabriel with the Oregon Ducks in 2024
On December 9, 2023, Gabriel announced that he would be transferring to Oregon.[27]
On August 31, 2024, Gabriel made his debut for Oregon in the season opener against Idaho. Oregon won the game 24–14, with Gabriel throwing for 380 yards and two touchdowns. With this performance, he became the eighth quarterback in FBS history to surpass 15,000 career passing yards.[28]
On October 26, 2024, Gabriel threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns in Oregon's 38–9 victory over Illinois. With this performance, he surpassed Hawaii quarterback Timmy Chang to move into second place on the FBS career passing yards list. Gabriel also passed Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore to claim second place on the FBS career passing touchdowns list.[29][30]
On January 1, 2025, Gabriel played his final college football game in the 2025 Rose Bowl, a College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal. Despite entering the playoffs with Oregon holding an undefeated 13–0 record and finishing first in the Big Ten Conference, the team ended its season with a 41–21 loss to Ohio State. Gabriel threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns in the game, tying Houston quarterback Case Keenum for the FBS career passing touchdowns record, with both quarterbacks now sharing the record at 155.[31]
On October 1, 2025, Gabriel was named the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, succeeding Joe Flacco.[36] On October 5, Gabriel made his NFL debut in Week 5 of the 2025 season, starting for the Cleveland Browns in their 21–17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London. He completed 19 of 33 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Gabriel was sacked twice for a loss of eight yards but did not throw an interception. His impressive debut earned him a nomination for NFL Rookie of the Week honors for Week 5.[37]
Gabriel is named after retired NFL running back Corey Dillon.[38]
Gabriel is of Filipino and Native Hawaiian descent.[2][3] Due to his Hawaiian heritage, he grew up as a fan of fellow Oregon alumnus and NFL quarterback Marcus Mariota, who has served as a mentor throughout his career.[39]
Gabriel has two brothers: Garrison Gabriel, the eldest, who played college volleyball at Orange Coast College who now manages Dillon's business affairs; and Roman Gabriel, the youngest, a college basketball player at Bushnell University. Roman was named after Roman Gabriel, the former Filipino-American NFL quarterback who won the league MVP award in 1969.[38]
Gabriel is engaged to his childhood sweetheart, Zo Caswell, whom he met while attending middle school at Punahou School.[3] He proposed to her on September 1, 2024, the day after his debut for Oregon.[40][41]
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