Star quarterback Dillon Gabriel announces transfer to Oregon

Former Oklahoma and UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel announced Saturday he is transferring to Oregon for a sixth season of college football.

Gabriel, who was the All-State Offensive Player of the Year from Mililani, posted on social media “Marcus Approved” in reference to former Oregon Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, another Hawaii quarterback who starred for Saint Louis School.

Gabriel wears jersey No. 8 in honor of Mariota.

He lines up as Oregon’s replacement for Bo Nix, a Heisman finalist who spent the last two seasons with the Ducks after starting his career with Auburn. The Ducks are transitioning from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten next season.

Gabriel is the most experienced and productive quarterback available in the portal for next season.

He threw for 6,828 yards and 55 touchdowns and ran for 18 scores the last two seasons with Oklahoma. He played his first three seasons at UCF, passing for 70 touchdowns. He has already started 50 games in his college career.

Dillon Gabriel’s father is Garrett Gabriel, a former University of Hawaii quarterback who authored the Rainbow Warriors’ two big wins over then-rival BYU.

Other high-profile quarterbacks in the portal who are still uncommitted include Cameron Ward from Washington State; Kye McCord from Ohio State; Riley Leonard from Duke; Will Howard from Kansas State; Tyler Van Dyke from Miami and Dante Moore from UCLA.