When Dillon Gabriel stepped onto the field at Oregon’s Pro Day, sharing the spotlight with Ducks NFL legends Justin Herbert and Bo Nix, it was a clear reminder of the quarterback legacy Eugene’s been building. Gabriel wasn’t just there to be a footnote, though. Dan Lanning’s former prized QB1 was determined to make a lasting impression, slinging dimes and proving he wasn’t playing second fiddle to anyone. He was there to show off his arm, with some big-name guests—and someone very special to him—watching.
Dillon Gabriel didn’t just deliver—he put on a show. In a session designed to highlight his accuracy and footwork, the former Oregon quarterback connected with receivers Tez Johnson and Kenyon Sadiq, putting passes on a string and showcasing the kind of arm talent that had long made him one of college football’s most prolific passers. But while the scouts jotted down notes, someone else in the building had a front-row seat to his big moment. His fiancée, Zo Caswell, was locked in, watching as Gabriel uncorked a perfectly placed deep dime to Johnson on a go-route—a throw that sent murmurs through the crowd and had at least one NFL general manager in attendance taking notice.
Caswell didn’t just admire from a distance; she made sure the world knew how proud she was. Shortly after the session, she posted the clip of her man’s dime on her Instagram story, adding appreciative emojis that said it all. It wasn’t just a proud fiancée moment—it was a stamp of approval on a performance that could very well shift the conversation around Gabriel’s draft stock. The two have been together since high school, navigating the wild ride of college football from UCF to Oklahoma and finally to Oregon. And on September 1, 2024, in the heart of Eugene, they took the next step, getting engaged in the city where Dillon Gabriel finished his collegiate career.
The big hang-up? His height. He doesn’t exactly fit that classic NFL quarterback build. At Oregon’s Pro Day, you could really see it when he was standing next to Bo Nix (6’2″) and Justin Herbert (6’6″). It definitely got people talking. Now, his stats? Those speak for themselves. His 18,722 career passing yards rank second all-time, and his 155 passing touchdowns tie him with Case Keenum for the all-time lead. But his NFL projection remains a hot ‘uncertain’ topic.
Questions about his size and fit at the next level have loomed over his draft process, but a performance like this forces teams to take a second look. A quarterback with that level of experience, production, and leadership doesn’t just grow on trees. And when he’s out there hitting deep shots in front of decision-makers, it’s impossible to ignore the potential. One team in particular might have been paying extra attention.
With a general manager from an NFC West squad in attendance, Gabriel might have just put himself on the radar of a certain franchise in the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers? The Seahawks? There’s intrigue in the air, and the kind of showing he put together at Oregon’s Pro Day might be enough to earn him a late-round look—or even a coveted undrafted free-agent opportunity with a team that values this Heisman finalist who can spread the offense and thrive in a structured system.
A “key mystery figure” was impressed by Dillon Gabriel
Dillon Gabriel did what he came to do at Oregon’s Pro Day—he showcased his arm, his touch, and his command. He impressed NFL scouts, coaches, and execs, but more importantly, he left the biggest impression on the person who matters most—his fiancée, Zo. Along the way, he might have also impressed an exec in attendance.
Gabriel, who transferred to Oregon for his final college season, was the featured quarterback at the event. With San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch among the key figures in attendance, there was no shortage of high-level decision-makers watching his every throw.
Despite his impressive college resume and eye-popping stats, Gabriel isn’t projected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In fact, Bleacher Report’s NFL Scouting Department currently ranks him as the No. 10 quarterback in this year’s draft class. But rankings and projections don’t tell the whole story. Gabriel has proven time and again that he can sling it with the best of them.
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