INDIANAPOLIS – Dillon Gabriel is the unanimous preseason Big Ten player of the year and a Heisman Trophy favorite.
Under different circumstances, he could have been an Ohio State Buckeye.
Gabriel was perhaps the most coveted quarterback in the transfer portal after he decided to leave Oklahoma after throwing for 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2023. He quickly committed to Oregon, which plays Ohio State on Oct. 12 in Eugene.
But Gabriel acknowledged Thursday at Big Ten media days that he talked with Ohio State coach Ryan Day after entering the portal.
The problem for the Buckeyes was that Gabriel wanted to decide quickly. Ohio State wasn’t prepared for an immediate decision. Starter Kyle McCord had entered the portal, and the Buckeyes wanted to see how Devin Brown played in the Cotton Bowl before deciding whether to add a prominent transfer quarterback.
Will Howard was willing to wait after leaving Kansas State. Gabriel was not. He had transferred from Central Florida to Oklahoma earlier in his career and had no desire for a prolonged process.
More: It’s still ‘Natty or bust’ for Ohio State football as training camp approaches
“For sure,” Gabriel said. “Going through my third recruiting process, I know it’s a stressful time for anyone. Although there’s beauty in it with new beginnings, everyone knows the stress and a lot that comes with it. There’s the moving, the moving companies, the moving in. The faster you can make a decision and feel good about it, you can be decisive, and that allows you to act accordingly.”
Gabriel said he spoke to another top program – he wouldn’t reveal which one – along with Ohio State.
“I had great conversations with both of them,” he said. “Super respectful throughout that process. As you may know, it happened really fast so the conversations had to be high level and kind of direct.”
Gabriel visited Oregon and immediately felt at home. The Ducks have an elite program with cutting-edge facilities and generous name, image and likeness resources thanks to their association with Nike.
More: Archie Griffin to dot the ‘i’ in Script Ohio for Ohio State’s season opener against Akron
“I think (it) was just the alignment of everything that I was looking for, but most importantly, right when I needed it,” Gabriel said.
What if Ohio State had been willing to take him right away?
“I don’t even know,” he said. “That’s in the past. I’m focused on the now. Not to give you that kind of answer. But God’s got me right where I need to be and I’m blessed.”
Oregon coach Dan Lanning said he wasn’t aware of Ohio State’s timetable.
“I think Dillon wanted to be at Oregon,” he said, “and we certainly wanted him here with us.”
After Brown was denied a chance to prove himself in the Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri because of an early ankle injury, Ohio State signed Howard. Those two will battle for the job in training camp.
Gabriel is familiar with Howard from their time in the Big 12 together and through their participation in the Manning Passing Academy.
“Extremely talented,” Gabriel said of Howard. “He does a great job of running the football and throwing the ball. Great command. He did a great job at K-State. Those are the type of matchups you look forward to when that week rolls around.”
As for the Heisman buzz surrounding him, Gabriel downplayed it.
“Talk is cheap and the hype is cheap for players,” he said. “What happens preseason doesn’t necessarily affect anything when the season comes around.
That may be happening, and I acknowledge it and appreciate the excitement and everyone getting excited for the season. But the truth is that when we line up and the clock starts, you have to produce and it’s, ‘What have you done for me lately?’”
The Oregon game figures to be Ohio State’s first major test of the season.
“I think it’s going to be fun,” Gabriel said. “It’ll be electric.”
Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why Oregon QB, Heisman favorite Dillon Gabriel passed on Ohio State
The Columbus Dispatch
