“I’m a product of patience”: Dillon Gabriel lets it all out in Big Ten’s emotional tribute to Oregon QB
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel has come a long way since last year. He led the No. 1 Ducks to an undefeated record as the best team in the Big Ten. The Ducks will take on the No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions in the Big Ten Championship game on Saturday.
The Big Ten Football X/Twitter account posted a video of the Ducks' quarterback discussing his journey to the championship game. Gabriel said he was unsure about his future a year ago and how happy he was that he decided to join the team after the 2023 season.
"I'm a product of patience," Gabriel said. "I'm a guy that sees it long-term and daily deposits and knowing that that will all add up into playing your best ball, and that's what I've been doing. A year ago today, I was thinking about where I was going to go and how different life was at that moment to now, you just appreciate the people."
The 2025 NFL draft prospect played for the Oklahoma Sooners last season, leading the team to a 10-2 record. He completed 266 passes for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns. That said, the Heisman Trophy candidate decided to transfer to Oregon on Dec. 9, 2023.
In the video, he believes the decision positively changed his life.
"It's been a year that it's short but so fun filled with so many things that has changed my life in a lot of ways," Gabriel said.
"This is something you dream of as a kid": Dillon Gabriel shares final thoughts ahead of Big Ten Championship game
The Big Ten Championship game is an opportunity for the Duck's quarterback to shine further. Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) can get a first-round bye in the College Football Playoffs if they defeat Penn State (11-1, 8-1).
The Oregon senior ended the Big Ten video by giving his last thoughts before he faces the Nittany Lions in the championship matchup.
"Championship game, this is something you dream of as a kid, and the moments that you want to play in, you get that opportunity. What are you going to do with it?," Gabriel said.
The Ducks quarterback enters the game with 275 completed passes for 3,275 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. He'll aim to have his best performance of the year to help his team get a first round bye in the College Football Playoffs.