Oregon lands Dillon Gabriel via transfer portal: How the move could impact Ducks’ Big Ten Championship odds

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With Bo Nix having gone through all his college football eligibility, Oregon figured to have a massive hole at quarterback this offseason. Dan Lanning spent no time dwelling on the Ducks’ Pac-12 Championship loss by instantly addressing this weakness with the acquisition of former UCF and Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel.

Oregon 2024 Big Ten Championship odds: Ducks project to be among the favorites to win conference title

Gabriel and Nix are eerily similar in many ways.

Both had long collegiate careers before a final stop in Eugene. Gabriel spent his first three seasons at UCF before transferring to Oklahoma for two years, where he spent a few weeks as a 2023 Heisman Trophy odds favorite.

After the Ducks’ Fiesta Bowl matchup with Liberty, Nix’s record for most games started by a QB will increase to 61. Gabriel has 49 starts under his belt, meaning if he stays healthy for the regular season and earns a spot in the Big Ten Championship or a bowl game, Dillon can surpass Bo.

Nix ranks seventh in all-time college football passing yards, and Gabriel trails in eighth by only 124 yards. It was nearly impossible to find a quarterback that matched Bo’s veteran leadership, and Lanning managed to land the only player in the portal that came close.

As a result of Gabriel’s move to Eugene, former four-star recruit Ty Thompson has entered the transfer portal. Thompson appeared in six games for the Ducks in 2023, throwing for 297 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception.

Gabriel will compete with former four-star recruit Austin Novosad for Oregon’s starting job. Novosad has played in two career games for the Ducks, attempting only four passes.

Considering this is Dillon’s final season of eligibility, it’s hard to imagine he’d commit to Oregon without a near guarantee he’d be under center in Week 1.

Oregon 2024 Big Ten Championship odds: Is Gabriel the best QB in the Big Ten?

With Caleb Williams likely to declare for the NFL Draft, Michael Penix Jr. having no eligibility left after this year, and J.J. McCarthy possibly heading to the pros, Oregon will have the advantage at quarterback as it acclimates to a new conference. However, the entirety of the offseason remains for another Big Ten team to grab a highly-touted QB transfer.

Dillon has thrown for 14,865 yards, 125 touchdowns, and 26 interceptions in his career. Like Bo, Gabriel isn’t heavily reliant on his legs but can make plays on the ground when needed, rushing for 1,060 yards and 26 touchdowns in his career.

The 22-year-old set career highs in passing yards, passer rating, rushing yards, and running touchdowns last season with the Sooners. The Oregon faithful should be over the moon with Lanning’s latest move.

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