Former Oregon Ducks and current Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel spoke about what it means to follow in the footsteps of fellow Hawaiian QB Marcus Mariota.
It didn’t take long after Gabriel was drafted for questions to arise about his connection with Mariota, who also hails from Hawaii and quarterbacked the Ducks.
Dillon Gabriel Applauds Oregon Legend Marcus Mariota For His Mentorship
Gabriel wore No. 8 at Oregon—the number Mariota made famous after winning the 2014 Heisman Trophy. He received Mariota’s blessing to wear it.
After being selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 94th pick in the third round, Gabriel revealed that Mariota was one of the first people to congratulate him.
He lauded how Mariota has fought through difficult times and served as a mentor and inspiration for other Hawaiian QBs.
“His ability to continue to respond and keep fighting,” Gabriel said. “His career wasn’t perfect early, but you see a guy who’s been an elite teammate and great guy in the building, also continuing to try and play at a high level.”
“I think the ebbs and flows and the ups and downs he’s continued to fight through—you can learn a lot from somebody like that, as well as him being an Oregon Duck and that connection in Hawaii. He’s a trailblazer for us all. I just appreciate anything he can tell me and am able to share with me so I can be a sponge and learn from him.”
Mariota, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft by the Tennessee Titans, began his professional career with high expectations after dominating at Oregon. He spent five solid, if unspectacular, seasons in Tennessee before becoming a journeyman backup.
His stops included the Las Vegas Raiders (2020–22), Atlanta Falcons (2023, where he started 13 games), Philadelphia Eagles (2024) and Washington Commanders last season. He re-signed with Washington and will return as their backup QB for the 2025–26 campaign.
Mariota’s career hasn’t been easy; he struggled after injuries and losing his starting job in Atlanta, and his transition from starter to backup came with documented mental growing pains. Regardless, he continues to inspire other Hawaiian QBs, who have few predecessors of their ethnicity to look up to.
Before Mariota, only two Hawaiian QBs were ever drafted: James Ritchey in 1997 and Joe Francis in 1959. Six years after Mariota joined the NFL, another high-profile Hawaiian signal-caller arrived when the Miami Dolphins selected Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 5 pick in the 2020 draft. Tagovailoa has remained their starter and is entering his sixth season.
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Now Gabriel hopes to make his mark as the third Hawaiian QB drafted in 11 years.
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