Dillon Gabriel Should Win the Heisman

[OregonDucks]

I'm not saying that he will win the Heisman but recently the award has gone to the QB on the best team in college football.  Dillon Gabriel is the QB for the #1 and only undefeated team in college football.

 

   Yards: 3,558 

   Completion %: 73.2% 

   TDs: 28 

   Interceptions: 6

   Rating: 166.6

 

Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty are terrific players but they also put up their numbers against inferior completion.

 

Why change the recent criteria this season?

 

[30Duck]

Travis Hunter was at home; the Buffs will play somebody in a bowl game somewhere. Jeanty had a great game, and the Broncos are in the Playoffs. But last night, Dillon Gabriel had the stage and put on a performance.

 

His best "moment" might have been falling on the fumble. But throughout the game his play guided the No.1 Ducks to another victory, over a very formidable opponent in Penn State.

 

More than anything else, games are won and lost based on the play of the quarterback. Allar, 2 interceptions, Howard didn't slide in time. Gabriel wasn't perfect. But no mistake cost Oregon a game.

[The Kamikaze Kid]

Puts up 114 points against three teams in the top eight. 37 against No.3 Boise St, 45 against No. 6 Penn St, 32 against osu2. Also went 3-0 against three playoff teams. There is nobody even close to those accomplishments. 

[OregonDucks]

On 12/8/2024 at 1:37 PM, The Kamikaze Kid said:

Puts up 114 points against three teams in the top eight. 37 against No.3 Boise St, 45 against No. 6 Penn St, 32 against osu2. Also went 3-0 against three playoff teams. There is nobody even close to those accomplishments. 

 

And at the time, I believe that Ohio State was ranked #1 and Penn State was #3.

 

DG has won the biggest games, against the best teams in college football, on the biggest stages.  That doesn't show up in his stat line but should be weighted heavily by the Heisman voters, IMO.  He has had his "Heisman Moments."

Edited December 8 by OregonDucks

[PittDuck]

He deserves it. But I don’t think he gets it.  The Powers That Be have overlooked and downplayed Oregon all year.

 

Unfortunately, I don’t see that changing any time soon.

[30Duck]

On 12/8/2024 at 11:10 AM, PittDuck said:

The Powers That Be have overlooked and downplayed Oregon all year.

I agree, Gabriel has been overlooked and downplayed all season. Hunter and Jeanty have been spectacular, but their "moments" don't amount to what Gabriel has put together all season. 

[Mike West]

I will say two things:

 

Nobody has been more clutch than Dillian Gabriel all damn year.  

 

Dillian Gabriel answered every question about whether he is NFL caliber or not.  He will further cement that in the playoffs.

 

Dillian Gabriel has outplayed both Travis Hunter and Ashton Jenty all year.  He also beat Jenty head to head, and did so with an OL that was totally inconsistent that game.

 

Oregon will not get the respect it's due until we win a Natty.  What better way to leave a lasting impression than to go 17-0 and beat the very best (especially if it's Ohio State again, Texas and Georgia).

 

Gabriel won't get the Heisman because the powers that be don't want to legitimize OBD.

[TheRunningDuck]

I will be pissed if Hype Hunter wins. Boise State running back has a remarkable season. Also Gabriel and Cam Ward are reasonable.

[Utki]

Jeanty would be my choice. I mean he's amazing on BSU but can you imagine what he would do on Oregon's team?  

[Duckman60]

With bile in my mouth I have to say Travis Hunter is the best player in college football (IMHO).  Not a fan of the hype machine but Oregon did similar stuff with Joey, Marcus and Bo.  My only complaint is that his stats are a little padded.  Sanders threw a TD pass to Travis with 2 minutes to go in the Oklahoma state game when they were up 45-0.  How would we feel if Hunter played for OBD and went both ways?

[Charles Fischer]

On 12/8/2024 at 11:34 AM, Mike West said:

Gabriel won't get the Heisman because the powers that be don't want to legitimize OBD.

[30Duck]

Votes for Hunter & Jeanty are votes for "Wow". "Did you see that!" Gabriel has made plays all season that decided whether Oregon won or lost, and his run to wrap up the win over osu2, the 4th & 9 pass to Ferg were Derek Jeter clutch. Gabriel was the QB of the only undefeated team. He couldn't do more.

[David Marsh]

I wrote this last year about Nix.

 

Is Oregon Flashy Enough for Bo To Win a Heisman? | FishDuck

FISHDUCK.COM

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Heisman Trophy voting changes from year to year. The trophy is supposed to go to the best player in college...

 

 

Players are different but the fact remains that the Oregon ducks aren't too flashy this year. We are brutally efficient. 

 

Lanning this year was content to just win scoring around 35 points. 

 

Gabriel did everything and more that was asked of him and he has had plenty of Heisman moments. Real Heisman moments when the game is on the line and he makes the play. Think his run for a TD against Ohio State, his absolutely clutch pass on 4th down to TFerg against Wisconsin, and last night his short run to get a first down and seal the game. 

 

He absolutely deserves the trophy. 

 

But has he been flashy? Not really... He hasn't put up insane numbers, Cam Ward has put up insane numbers but he is also on a team that lost two games. 

 

Travis Hunter put up some insane numbers and has done some stuff on both sides of the ball that is very impressive but he is also on a team with two losses and no playoff. 

 

Jeanty has insane numbers but his level of competition is dubious. Not sure he has a true Heisman moment in in year to date. As in a moment that defines the game and the season. 

 

But Gabriel just picks apart defenses and takes what's given to him. Not usually flashy but certainly Heisman worthy. 

[30Duck]

I'm only 99% sure; Fentress isn't voting for Gabriel. 

[David Marsh]

On 12/8/2024 at 2:13 PM, 30Duck said:

I'm only 99% sure; Fentress isn't voting for Gabriel. 

Hard to say... 

 

I read a few places that basically said that he takes a more anti Duck position on purpose to make more intrigue and conversation. 

 

If there is disagreement and multiple perspectives being discussed, even if not all are believed, it does make for better content. 

[30Duck]

On 12/8/2024 at 2:22 PM, David Marsh said:

I read a few places that basically said that he takes a more anti Duck position on purpose to make more intrigue and conversation. 

 

Oh, very true, his Duck "hater" role on "Talkin Ducks" is absolutely necessary. A show with just Anthony Newman and Joey would be unwatchable. 

[DrJacksPlaidPants]

The second year in a row Oregon has sent a QB to New York.

 

Gabriel, Hunter, Jeanty, Ward named Heisman Trophy finalists - ESPN

WWW.ESPN.COM

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Oregon's Dillon Gabriel, Colorado's Travis Hunter, Boise State's Ashton Jeanty and Miami's Cam Ward were announced as the Heisman Trophy finalists Monday night.

 

 

[DanLduck]

Awesome. He certainly deserves it.

He has been calm cool and efficient at all the most important times in every game.

He is our team leader. And we are 13 - 0.

 

His best games were our biggest, tOSU, Mich and PSU. 

He led several 4th qtr winning drives.

Made clutch throws to maintain drives.

 

Delivered when the game was on the line, every time.

 

He gets my (unbiased) vote!

[30Duck]

On 12/9/2024 at 5:33 PM, DanLduck said:

He gets my (unbiased) vote!

He's got mine too. 

 

It's not just a trend that QB's have won the Heisman lately, they are the single most important player on the team, and Gabriel has taken his team to 13-0 and No.1 in the nation.

 

Ward has bigger numbers; Miami is sitting at home. 

 

Jeanty has had a great season, congrats to him. He had a great game, at the start of the season against the Ducks.

 

Hunter had a great season, but that great season, along with Sanders at QB, didn't get the Buffs to the Playoffs, it got a lot of clicks though. 

[jrw]

Best in the nation at the game's most critical position, on the country's best team should be enough to win it, right? One would think.

[Steven A]

My ballot:

 

1)  Hunter, two-way player, great at both.

2)  Jeanty, he got his team to the playoffs with only one loss (thank goodness),  Can't stop him even when you know he is going to get his carries and possibly injured arm for 1/2 season.

3)  Gabriel, 'nough said.

4)  Ward, good for 4th.

[David Marsh]

On 12/9/2024 at 5:08 PM, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

The second year in a row Oregon has sent a QB to New York.

Massive deal for the progrum. 

 

Alabama under Saban would almost yearly have a player make the ceremony. Often not win the trophy but Bama was pretty consistent in making the ceremony. 

[David Marsh]

On 12/9/2024 at 6:29 PM, Steven A said:

Gabriel, 'nough said.

Most critical game changing Heisman moments. 

[30Duck]

On 12/9/2024 at 6:43 PM, David Marsh said:

Alabama under Saban would almost yearly have a player make the ceremony. Often not win the trophy but Bama was pretty consistent in making the ceremony. 

Often enough, 2009, Mark Ingram, 2015, Derrick Henry, 2020, DaVonta Smith, 2021, Bryce Young.

 

On 12/9/2024 at 6:44 PM, David Marsh said:

(Gabriel)  Most critical game changing Heisman moments. 

Absolutely. In the biggest games, he had his biggest "Moments", running and throwing, recovering a fumble. 

[Jon Sousa]

On 12/9/2024 at 5:49 PM, 30Duck said:

On 12/9/2024 at 5:33 PM, DanLduck said:

He gets my (unbiased) vote!

He's got mine too. 

The only two unbiased fans here in the OBD forum.

Way to go guys!

[30Duck]

On 12/9/2024 at 7:16 PM, Jon Sousa said:

The only two unbiased fans here in the OBD forum.

Completely,

 

[TheRunningDuck]

Does anyone believe Hunter would be there without the Prime hype machine?

[Jon Joseph]

Not OK. Run off a Heisman Finalist for a QB in the Portal?

 

 

A reminder what the Sooners lost, Dillon Gabriel is a Heisman finalist

STORMININNORMAN.COM

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Gabriel started at quarterback for two seasons for Oklahoma before transferring to Oregon.

 

[Jon Joseph]

Running Duck, I get the Prime comment, no doubt, but I believe Travis Hunter deserves to be in NYC and will be a deserving winner. 

 

Would I like Gabe to win? Heck yes. He isn't getting the credit he deserves and he would certainly be deserving. But  Oregon is as "quiet" a 13-0 team as I've ever seen and unlike 2023, this is not the year of the QB in CFB. 

[MicroBurst61]

Gabriel Absolutely Earned his way to NY.  I do believe Bo's "body of work" was more impressive, but Bo had two years here, compared to Gabe's single season.

 

I would love to be pleasantly surprised to see Gabe walk off with the hardware but the simple matter of fact is that the Oregon Ducks Football team is exactly that, TEAM.  We do not need to depend on one or two players to "carry" our team to the successes OBD has achieved.

 

I congratulate Gabe on being the Team leader he is and want to see him close out his career with a Natty.  I think Gabe would prefer that "group" success over an individual award with no championship in the end.

 

Just glad to see OBD players getting the proper recognition they deserve.

 

Gabriel and his fellow Duck brethren Rock!  Go Ducks!

[NJDuck]

 

How to watch Dillon Gabriel at the 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremony

 

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel officially accepted his candidacy as a 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist.

 

How to watch Dillon Gabriel at the 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremony

AUTZENZOO.COM

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Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel officially accepted his candidacy as a 2024 Heisman Trophy finalist.

 

[Jon Joseph]

 

College Football News Take on the Four Finalists. 

 

2024 Heisman Finalists: Breaking Down Why Each One Deserves to Win - College Football News | College Football Predictions, Analysis and Updates

[Solar]

On 12/10/2024 at 7:02 AM, Jon Joseph said:

Running Duck, I get the Prime comment, no doubt, but I believe Travis Hunter deserves to be in NYC and will be a deserving winner. 

 

Would I like Gabe to win? Heck yes. He isn't getting the credit he deserves and he would certainly be deserving. But  Oregon is as "quiet" a 13-0 team as I've ever seen and unlike 2023, this is not the year of the QB in CFB. 

This. Travis was the top recruit in the country even as a non QB, for a reason.

 

He's lived up to that as being the best two way player since playing both ways stopped being a thing. He produces at a high level both ways, doing things athletically that few can match. I think the only receivers more explosive as athletically are Tez Johnson And Ryan Williams from Bama. Playing defense he's a lock down corner as good as Muhammad on our team.

 

So I think he wins, even though his team is irrelevant to the title race un like Boise State and Oregon.

 

I love what Gabriel has done and expect him to play even better in every game from here on out. It is tough to really see him as special when Bo was clearly better than him last year, which is a weird thing to feel and say.

 

If I could vote for a Heisman it would be Jeanty. He is the head and shoulders best, generational talent at a position as I've seen in a while.

 

And Cam Ward.. don't care.

Edited December 10 by Solar

[Chas Man]

Quality of competition should matter on some level. How Heisman worthy is a h.s. kid who runs for 400 yards and 6 touchdowns against a h.s. defense? Looking at Hunter's team, they played only one ranked opponent all season, Kansas State, and lost. In that game Hunter tallied 3 receptions for 26 yards, and on the other side of the ball notched one tackle. DG on the other hand had a plethora of "Heisman Moments" against some of the best programs and most difficult environments in the country. 

 

Not saying that TH isn't talented, but if I'm in a room trying to decide between 4 of the most talented players in the country, I'm going to give some consideration to who each of them played against, and what they did when they played against the best.

 

Edited December 10 by Chas Man

[Solar]

On 12/10/2024 at 3:03 PM, Chas Man said:

Quality of competition should matter on some level. How Heisman worthy is a h.s. kid who runs for 400 yards and 6 touchdowns against a h.s. defense? Looking at Hunter's team, they played only one ranked opponent all season, Kansas State, and lost. In that game Hunter tallied 3 receptions for 26 yards, and on the other side of the ball notched one tackle. DG on the other hand had a plethora of "Heisman Moments" against some of the best programs and most difficult environments in the country. 

 

Not saying that TH isn't talented, but if I'm in a room trying to decide between 4 of the most talented players in the country, I'm going to give some consideration to who each of them played against, and what they did when they played against the best.

 

Jeanty kicked our defense's butt too. Everyone watches him and says he just plays against defenses that can't tackle to save their life. It's more that mere mortals can't tackle a ball of muscle with the balance of a ballerina and the speed of a gazelle.

 

And RB performance is highly dependent on the OL. What if Jeanty played in the SEC with the best OL? I don't think his performance would be much different than it is with his current OL in a mediocre conference.

[30Duck]

On 12/10/2024 at 4:11 PM, Solar said:

What if Jeanty played in the SEC with the best OL?

I don't know what would happen. But I do know that Gabriel made play after play, in pressure situations, plays that he had to make, or Oregon loses. There were throws and runs. How many of Jeanty's runs did Boise State need to win the game. His run against the Ducks was good. Boise State lost. 

[Chas Man]

On 12/10/2024 at 4:11 PM, Solar said:

Jeanty kicked our defense's butt too. Everyone watches him and says he just plays against defenses that can't tackle to save their life. It's more that mere mortals can't tackle a ball of muscle with the balance of a ballerina and the speed of a gazelle.

 

And RB performance is highly dependent on the OL. What if Jeanty played in the SEC with the best OL? I don't think his performance would be much different than it is with his current OL in a mediocre conference.

No doubt Jeanty is a great running back. Also no doubt that week in, week out he played against far inferior competition than DG. I'm pretty sure most voters will side with your perspective.

By the way, the Moore Award, given to the best OL group, has gone to the B1G more than any other conference. 

[GeotechDuck]

If I was starting a team from scratch and I had to pick one player to be on my team from the finalists, I am taking Jeanty every time.  
 

Just imagine what that guy could do behind an elite OL.  
 

Thinking about it that way, I would probably still vote for Gabriel for Heisman because I am a total homer. 
 

But Jeanty is him. 

[cartm25]

I think Travis Hunter is a product of the Prime hype machine. Don’t get me wrong, it’s impressive to play both sides of the ball. My deciding criteria for him is that I’ve never felt compelled to tune in to watch him. He’ll win the Heisman, but he wouldn’t get my vote.

 

Jeanty would get my vote. He threatened records that haven’t been touched for decades. He may have played inferior competition (except for the #1 team in the nation), but his QB and OL fall in that “inferior” category, too. Like @Solar said earlier, Jeanty’s combination of size, speed, strength/power, and balance looks generational.

 

When Jeanty played the #1 team in the nation, with a fully healthy, Lanning/Lupoi-coached defense, he ran for 192 yards. He ran for more yards than the BSU offense’s total passing yards (148). And he did that despite Oregon knowing that their ONE objective on defense was to stop Jeanty.

 

Dillon Gabriel has been awesome this year. I won’t argue anyone who thinks he’s deserving of the Heisman. If he wins it I’ll do nothing but cheer.

[30Duck]

On 12/10/2024 at 9:31 PM, GeotechDuck said:

If I was starting a team from scratch and I had to pick one player to be on my team from the finalists, I am taking Jeanty everytime.

If I'm starting a team from scratch, I'm taking a quarterback. Every time. The QB is the most important player on the team, his decisions, the plays he makes or doesn't make, have more to do with his team winning than any other player. Gabriel has taken that to an even higher level this season, one with Heisman moments every game.

[woundedknees]

I might take a quarter back, but a player like Jeanty would be next on the list... Elite running skills, plus the ability to protect the quarterback as needed, benefit both facets of the offense.

[MicroBurst61]

WHEN Oregon Wins the National Title Playoffs, this Man will be pivotal in that success.

 

Outside of his on field control and mastery of the QB position, This shows even more reasons why Gabriel Deserves the Heisman. 

 

Please let me be pleasantly surprised

 

https://athlonsports.com/college/oregon-ducks/one-social-media-post-tells-you-everything-you-need-to-know-about-dillon-gabriel

[TheRunningDuck]

On 12/10/2024 at 2:16 PM, Solar said:

This. Travis was the top recruit in the country even as a non QB, for a reason.

 

He's lived up to that as being the best two way player since playing both ways stopped being a thing. He produces at a high level both ways, doing things athletically that few can match. I think the only receivers more explosive as athletically are Tez Johnson And Ryan Williams from Bama. Playing defense he's a lock down corner as good as Muhammad on our team.

 

So I think he wins, even though his team is irrelevant to the title race un like Boise State and Oregon.

 

I love what Gabriel has done and expect him to play even better in every game from here on out. It is tough to really see him as special when Bo was clearly better than him last year, which is a weird thing to feel and say.

 

If I could vote for a Heisman it would be Jeanty. He is the head and shoulders best, generational talent at a position as I've seen in a while.

 

And Cam Ward.. don't care.

Between who I would pick if choosing sides and watching the games I could of all the teams I would pick Jeanty. Very hard to bring down and great cuts.

[Jon Joseph]

Some Modest Support for Gabe.

 

 

Heisman Candidate Dillon Gabriel

SATURDAYBLITZ.COM

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The Heisman Finalists have been announced. One of the fab four to sit in the front row in NYC will be Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, the Big Ten Offensive P

 

 

[GeotechDuck]

On 12/11/2024 at 8:09 AM, MicroBurst61 said:

WHEN Oregon Wins the National Title Playoffs, this Man will be pivotal in that success.

 

Outside of his on field control and mastery of the QB position, This shows even more reasons why Gabriel Deserves the Heisman. 

 

Please let me be pleasantly surprised

 

https://athlonsports.com/college/oregon-ducks/one-social-media-post-tells-you-everything-you-need-to-know-about-dillon-gabriel

This is an awesome article. 

[Duckman60]

Years ago I was watching two retired coaches talking about how they would start a team from scratch.  John Madden said he would start with corner backs, he felt if you could lock down receivers you could put more guys on the line and prevent big plays.  The other coach (cannot remember his name) would start with O-linemen.  

 

Today it appears it quarter backs that team want to start with.  It's hard to argue with that, especially watching Bo in Denver.  But I still would vote for Hunter for the Heisman, I just believe he is the best player in college football.  

[30Duck]

On the stats, Cam Ward is the Heisman winner, fortunately, that won't happen. Gabriel has made all the plays he needed to to keep the Ducks N0.1and undefeated. His 9 yard run against osu2 meant more for the team than any 9 yards Jeanty gained in the whole season. 

 

With Hunter, the once in a generation player, on both sides of the ball, in every game, Colorado finished 9-3. 

[eastSCOast]

All this talk now makes me realize that there needs to be serious consideration to moving the Heisman ceremony to after the completion of the playoffs. It's supposed to be awarded to the best player in college football, but the award doesn't take into account what could be a team/player's most important 3/4 games of the year? Doesn't make much sense to me. 

[Sandy Rocks]

Part of the job of a leader and a great player is to elevate the play of his peers, How can you say that a player is truly great if his team does not excel. Without Gabriel, Oregon would not be where they are. He has made the plays that have truly changed the course of games. He is so similar to Marcus Mariota in his personality. He is calm, appreciative and methodical in his approach. He is a perfect fit to lead Oregon to the Championship and beyond.