In what has already been an unforgettable season that is far from over, Hawaii’s Dillon Gabriel will celebrate another milestone this weekend in New York City as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
Gabriel, the Oregon senior quarterback and Mililani High School graduate is one of four finalists for college football’s most coveted individual honor, joining Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Boise State’s Ashtony Jeanty, and Miami’s Cam Ward. The winner will be announced on Saturday.
For Gabriel, who set college football’s all-time career total touchdown record earlier this season, the invite to NYC follows in the footsteps of State of Hawaii football legends, former University of Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan (finished third in 2007), former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o of La’ie (finished second in 2012), former Oregon quarterback, Honolulu’s Marcus Mariota (won the 2014 Heisman), and former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of Ewa Beach (finished second in 2016). The accomplishment is not lost on the proud islander.
“That means a bunch. Being from Hawaii, I definitely take a huge responsibility and take that on wholeheartedly, knowing that there is guys in front of me and there’s going to be a bunch of guys behind me,” Gabriel told KHON2 Sports on Wednesday. “I’m doing my part in the present to represent us the right way. I love Hawaii, obviously born and raised and the unique experience you have growing up playing sports with a bunch of family members that love you want the best for you. So with all that experience and having people that have done it before me, I know the way to do it, you know, because of them.”
Long before Gabriel was a star quarterback at Oregon and even before he was setting records and winning the Cover2 Kaulukukui Award as a senior at Mililani, Gabriel first made a name for himself as a freshman, stepping up on varsity to replace an injured McKenzie Milton at quarterback.
At the time, Gabriel was wearing an oversized jersey with the number-96 on it. When asked if at that time, he envisioned a Heisman Trophy ceremony in his future, he replied, “I don’t think he believed necessarily. I think that’s the oblivious of not knowing right at a young age, just playing and going at 100 miles per hour. But I had a bunch of people around me that believed in me. My dad being a huge part of my love for the game and, you know, knowing how to prepare and knowing how to work and what it takes to play at the college level.”
Dillon’s father Garrett, won a state football championship with Pac-Five before playing collegiately at the University of Hawaii, where he would orchestrate two of the biggest rivalry game wins in program history as Gabriel led the Rainbows to wins over BYU in 1990 and 1991. Dillon’s achievement will take his father, someone that completely understands just how special it is to get an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
“It’s special,” Gabriel said. “The relationship he and I have is is extremely unique. Him being a coach, a father, everything in between. We appreciate it all. I think back to the times in the front yard and on the street, him teaching me a three step drop or just throwing. Those are times that, you know, as a kid, I’ll never forget. But then now, right where I’m at, I appreciate it even more, being able to have that time on the flight there together to just enjoy it, that that makes my heart smile and knowing that all the work we put in together. I love him to death. There’s all the UH games we would go to together at a young age to what we’re now doing. I appreciate everything and the whole journey.”
Whether or not Gabriel walks away with a Heisman Trophy in hand on Saturday, the accomplishment of earning the experience this weekend is completely understood and embraced. Just weeks away from his 24th birthday, Gabriel hopes that his story can inspire other island keiki in the way that those before him, provided the inspiration.
“I take pride in being from Hawaii, knowing that I represented the right way and want to be thoughtful of that. Because, think about how many great examples we’ve had in our time and now it’s just my turn to do it.”
The Heisman Trophy ceremony is set for Saturday at 3:00 p.m. HST on ESPN.
Gabriel’s season will continue with the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 ranked Ducks will face either Ohio State or Tennessee in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.