Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel reportedly accepts invite to the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has accepted his invitation to compete in the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl. He is enjoying a great season with the No. 1 Oregon Ducks in his final college year. On Dec. 10, Reese's Senior Bowl official X/Twitter account announced on the platform that Gabriel will compete in the bowl game next year.
The bowl game will occur on Feb. 1, 2025, at the Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. Gabriel joins other notable players competing in the Reese's Senior Bowl, like No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2, 7-1 Big Ten) quarterback Will Howard. Tickets for the event are on sale for as low as $15 on the South Alabama Jaguars website.
Gabriel is coming off an impressive performance in Oregon's (13-0, 9-0 Big Ten) 45-37 victory against the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2, 8-1 Big Ten) in the Big Ten Championship on Dec. 7. He ended the game completing 22 of 32 passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns.
The victory earned the team a first-round bye in the College Football Playoffs. On Jan. 1, 2025, they'll face the winner of the Ohio State vs. the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers (10-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) game in the Rose Bowl.
The Oregon star player has also emerged as one of the candidates to win the Heisman Trophy. He was one of the contributing factors in the team ending the regular season undefeated. Gabriel has completed 297 passes for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns. The 2025 NFL draft prospects hope to win over other worthy candidates, including the No. 23 Colorado Buffaloes (9-3, 7-2 Big 12) cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter.
Dillon Gabriel faces stiff competition in Heisman Trophy nomination
The Ducks quarterback may not be the leading candidate to win this season's Heisman Trophy. DraftKings favor Hunter as a -2500 favorite to win the award. The Colorado player has 92 receptions, 1,152 yards, and 14 touchdowns. He's achieved 31 tackles, four interceptions, and one forced fumble on defense.
Hunter's offense and defense performance could make him undeniable to win the trophy in his senior year. However, the No. 9 Boise State Broncos (12-1, 7-0 Mountain West Conference) running back Ashton Jeanty and No. 13 Miami Hurricanes (10-2, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) quarterback Cam Ward could also get the nod for the award.
Jeanty has 344 carries for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns. Ward ended the regular season with 293 completed passes for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns. Both players have performed outstandingly, which may hurt the Ducks' quarterback from winning over them.
The winner will be announced on Dec. 14. The Oregon Heisman Trophy candidate's chances of getting the award could be slim against his competitors.