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Five things to know about OU Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel

Cheyenne Derksen, The Oklahoman
·4 min read

The University of Oklahoma's left-handed quarterback is firmly planted in the spotlight after announcing his plan to enter the transfer portal.

Here are five things to know about Dillon Gabriel.

Who is OU quarterback Dillon Gabriel?

Fifth-year senior Dillon Gabriel was born on Dec. 28, 2000, in Mililani, Hawaii, which is on the island of Oahu. His father was a University of Hawaii quarterback and was Dillon's quarterback coach, and his mother was a college softball player, reports OU Daily.

Dillon began his college career at UCF in 2019 before transferring to Oklahoma in 2022.

More: How Dillon Gabriel's family is making every OU football game 'like a Thanksgiving'

Dillon Gabriel transfer portal

Dillon Gabriel appears headed to the transfer portal for a final season of eligibility. While not outright saying he was entering the transfer portal, Gabriel posted a message on X (formerly Twitter) on Dec. 4 thanking OU fans for the last two seasons.

"Thanks for your faith in me and the opportunity to lead and be a member of OU's team 128 and 129," Gabriel posted.

Gabriel had long talked about this being his final season, as he worked to pass the torch to Jackson Arnold, though many expected him to make a run at the NFL after this season.

Arnold, the five-star freshman, saw limited action this season but was pressed into duty in the second half of the win over BYU late in the season after Gabriel suffered a head injury.

Arnold figures to be the Sooners' quarterback when they take on Arizona in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28.

Dillon Gabriel stats

Season Highs (Offensive)

Statistic

Value

Date

Opponent

Rushing Yards

113

10/07/2023

vs Texas

Longest Rush

44

10/07/2023

vs Texas

Rushing Touchdowns

2

09/30/2023

Iowa St.

Reception Yards

0

10/07/2023

vs Texas

Longest Reception

0

10/07/2023

vs Texas

Receiving Touchdowns

0

10/07/2023

vs Texas

Passing Yards

421

09/16/2023

at Tulsa

Longest Pass

55

09/16/2023

at Tulsa

Passing Touchdowns

5

09/16/2023

at Tulsa

Offensive Statistics

Date

Opponent

PASSING

RUSHING

09/02/2023

Arkansas St.

19

22

0

86.4%

308

2

52

2

15

1

10

09/09/2023

SMU

19

27

0

70.4%

176

4

29

8

20

0

10

09/16/2023

at Tulsa

28

31

1

90.3%

421

5

55

0

0

0

0

09/23/2023

at Cincinnati

26

38

0

68.4%

322

1

49

11

23

1

11

09/30/2023

Iowa St.

26

39

1

66.7%

366

3

54

8

37

2

16

10/07/2023

vs Texas

23

38

0

60.5%

285

1

43

14

113

1

44

Is Dillon Gabriel a Native Hawaiian?

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) smiles as he leaves the field after the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Oklahoma won 34-30.
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) smiles as he leaves the field after the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Oklahoma won 34-30.

Yes, Gabriel is a member of the indigenous group of Native Hawaiians.

Is Dillon Gabriel related to Roman Gabriel?

No, but also yes.

Roman Gabriel was a quarterback star at North Carolina State and was named a two-time ACC Player of the Year in 1960 and 1961.

Despite sharing the same surname and playing the same position, Dillon Gabriel is not related to that Roman Gabriel, Sportskeeda reports.

However, Dillon Gabriel's younger brother is named Roman, OU Daily reports. He plays basketball at Mililani High School. The oldest Gabriel brother is named Garrison.

More: What are the stories behind OU football players' tattoos? Dillon Gabriel, Sooners explain

Is Dillon Gabriel up for the Heisman?

Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel (8) warms up before an NCAA football game between University of Oklahoma (OU) and Iowa State at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.
Oklahoma's Dillon Gabriel (8) warms up before an NCAA football game between University of Oklahoma (OU) and Iowa State at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023.

After Gabriel led the Sooners to a 34-30 victory over Texas in October, OU is not only firmly in College Football Playoff contention but Gabriel is in the Heisman Trophy discussion as well.

At FanDuel, Gabriel’s odds (+1200) are now the fourth-highest odds at FanDuel for the Heisman behind USC quarterback Caleb Williams (+160), Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (+350) and Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (+750).

Gabriel’s odds have steadily increased as the Sooners’ season has continued. He began the year at 33/1.

He became the first OU quarterback to pass for over 250 yards and rush for another against the Longhorns and was named the Maxwell Award national player of the week.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Five things to know about OU football quarterback Dillon Gabriel