He may not have finished his career at the University of Oklahoma, but Dillon Gabriel made his mark before transferring to the Oregon Ducks for his final season. Now he’ll try to make his mark as a member of the Cleveland Browns. The Browns selected the former UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon quarterback with the 94th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Gabriel’s veteran presence and leadership helped kick-start the Oklahoma Sooners‘ offense at the beginning of the Brent Venables era under former Sooners offensive coordinator and now Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby.
Gabriel will always be remembered for leading Oklahoma on a touchdown drive in the final minute and a half to beat the Texas Longhorns in 2023. He was excellent in that game, helping the Sooners pull off what was a huge upset at the time. Though the 2023 season didn’t end with a playoff appearance like many had hoped, Gabriel turned the Sooners offense into a force, averaging 41.7 points per game, which was fourth in the nation that year.
After he made the move to Oregon, Gabriel had another phenomenal year, guiding the Ducks to the College Football Playoff and earning a trip to New York as a Heisman finalist.
With the Browns, Gabriel will have a shot to earn playing time. They signed Joe Flacco to be the veteran that leads the way at the position and also have former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. But Gabriel provides more upside with his experience and playmaking ability.
A former three-star quarterback in the 2019 recruiting class, Gabriel was drafted ahead of prominent signal callers like former five-star Quinn Ewers and one of the more high-profile passers of the last few seasons, Shedeur Sanders. Gabriel has the opportunity to parlay his experience into an opportunity to earn a starting quarterback job with Cleveland.
The Call that made Dillon Gabriel a Brown
long-distance call to end the night 📲 pic.twitter.com/UA8Wfasie7
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 26, 2025
Ballers Ball #DawgPound
— Dillon Gabriel (@_dillongabriel_) April 26, 2025
Playmaker
Coming to the team with a winning resume@_dillongabriel_ | #DawgPoundpic.twitter.com/fmn8arSX2X
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 26, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Dillon Gabriel selected in the third round by the Cleveland Browns
