Copyright Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel played his college ball at three different universities. He was the signal caller for the UCF Knights in 2019, before transferring to the Oklahoma Sooners in 2022, and then the Oregon Ducks for one season. Dillon was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He initially started the season as a backup to veteran Joe Flacco. But head coach Kevin Stefanski decided ahead of Week 5 to make a change and go with Gabriel as the starter. Soon after, Flacco was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals. Dillon’s time as the team’s signal caller hasn’t been smooth sailing, and midway through the season, the Browns remained one of the worst teams in the league. Now, some fans are wondering what that could mean for the young quarterback’s future. While that has yet to play out completely, here are things we know about Dillon Gabriel and his family. Who are Dillon Gabriel’s parents? Dillon was born on Dec. 28, 2000, in Mililani, Hawaii, to parents Garrett and Dori Gabriel. He is of Filipino and Native Hawaiian descent. Dillon is named after retired NFL running back Corey Dillon. His older brother, Garrison, is named after former running back Garrison Hearst, and his younger brother, Roman, is named after former NFL quarterback Roman Gabriel. Their father played quarterback himself for the University of Hawaii from 1986 to 1990. During his collegiate playing career, Garrett upset BYU, led by Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer, twice. “Back home, the Hawaii-BYU rivalry is huge,” Dillon explained per the UCF Rivals website. “We’d always put that BYU game on. When they ended up beating Ty Detmer after he won the Heisman. Personally, I’ll never be a BYU fan because of it. I’m with my dad on that one.” Dillon’s mother attended Loyola Marymount University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies. She has been working as a Senior District Business Manager at Novo Nordisk since 2006. Dillon attended the same high school as fellow Hawaiian and Miami Dolphins signal caller Tua Tagovailoa. And he grew up a huge fan of another NFL quarterback and Hawaiian, Marcus Mariota. The latter has mentored Dillon throughout his career. Dillon even wore No. 8 with the Ducks, which was the number Mariota wore when he played for the same team. Dillon has created a charity to give back to the Hawaiian community Dillon is extremely proud of his roots and wants to make sure that no matter where his NFL career takes him, he always gives back to the Hawaiian community.
