Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel has led the Ducks to a 12-0 record in his first season with the program, and revealed that Marcus Mariota has been a huge role model.

The Ducks face Penn State on Dec. 7 in the Big 12 Championship Game, and are looking to go all the way and win the national championship for the first time in Oregon history. Gabriel only transferred to the Ducks in 2024 after previously being at UCF and Oklahoma, and has been supported by Mariota.

Both Gabriel and Mariota were born in Hawaii, and play the same position in football. Mariota is currently on the Washington Commanders in the NFL, but was at Oregon between 2011-2014 and won the Heisman Trophy in his final year.

Gabriel opened up on his bond with Mariota ahead of facing the Nittany Lions on Saturday, and said: “That is a guy I look up to and a role model and kind of older than me in that way. But when you’re growing up, and you have that direct example—a guy from Hawaii playing at a high level, at the D1 level—and then you see him go to the NFL, it’s like you can see it.

“You can believe it. You saw it in him in person in Hawaii. And then, I think your belief in yourself continues to rise as well and what you want to do with your career. So I’m very appreciative of him and how he represents himself, but also his family, his university, everywhere he’s been.

“I’m appreciative of that and the relationship. He texted me before my senior night, and little things like that, that he really doesn’t have to do—you appreciate because you understand that. I’m very appreciative of him because he’s the same guy and represents the right thing.

“So I’m very blessed and grateful for that and never take that lightly because I’m lucky to have it.” It’s been a long road to success for Gabriel, and although he’s bounced around several teams already, he believes it’s given him knowledge and improved him as a player and person.

“I think there’s so much on the football side, but also in life,” Gabriel added. “You get older, you get wiser. Naturally, you’re going to gain more knowledge. And I’ve been lucky and blessed to be around great people and just to learn from them.

Gabriel is 12-0 with Oregon in his senior year and looking to make history.

Gabriel is 12-0 with Oregon in his senior year and looking to make history. ( 

Image:

2024 Brandon Sloter)

“I’ve tried to be a sponge everywhere I’ve been, but I’ve also tried to just pour my everything into wherever I was in that moment. So I think that’s allowed me to get better every single year, every single version of myself. I think you look from my freshman year to now, just the type of player I am.

“And I think that’s more than just statistically. I think that goes to show as a leader, a person, a player, the way I throw it, all that. I think we’re in an interesting time that’s all about results. So many people talk about the process but aren’t patient enough.

“I think if you look at my body of work—a guy who’s eager and wants to get better but has had that time to develop and work in that way—I think you see it over time. So if there ever is something to go and say about a journey and time to develop, I think I’m a product of that.”