It’s insane to think that a quarterback who’s leading the No. 1 team in the nation and heading to New York as a Heisman finalist could somehow still feel overlooked. But that’s exactly where Dillon Gabriel finds himself. Despite his impressive season, Gabriel’s name hasn’t been the centerpiece of discussions as it should be, and analysts are starting to take notice.

On the latest episode of the Gojo & Golic podcast, the hosts didn’t mince their words, saying, “You know what’s interesting? This is a name that we didn’t see mentioned much in this bunch, and I think, quietly, he’s become somewhat underrated around the sport, or at least under-talked about. Now, this sounds insane because he’s getting ready to go to New York as one of the Heisman finalists, but Dillon Gabriel’s name is not mentioned a ton in here.”

Gabriel’s numbers paint a clear picture of his excellence on the field, with over 40 touchdowns and just five interceptions. Those aren’t just good stats—they’re among the elite. Yet they didn’t carry the flash or sensation that his fans expect. Oregon, as a team, mirrored that same energy. Dominant and unbeatable, the Ducks rolled through their schedule, often crushing out opponents. But their success almost worked against them in terms of attention. Another host explained, “They just kept winning, kept being No. 1, and were kind of forgotten about as they rolled through their schedule. Obviously, the focus was on them when they played Ohio State, what, fifth game into the season. Other than that, they were basically blowing teams out.”

If one game sums up Gabriel’s expertise, it’s the Big Ten Championship against Penn State. Oregon’s offensive line was rock solid, and their receivers looked far superior to anything Penn State ever imagined. But the real difference? Gabriel’s performance. One analyst made it clear by saying, “You watch that Big Ten Championship game, and there was no question who was the best quarterback on the field in that game, and it was Dillon Gabriel for the Oregon side. The difference between the two quarterbacks in that game was night and day. Drew Allar is still a collection of traits that has played better this season under Andy, but Gabriel was just better in every way.”

And yet, Gabriel’s success has not shined out bright. Oregon’s dominance may have made their games seem routine to outsiders, leaving Gabriel as an afterthought in many conversations. the host clarified it perfectly, “They were almost the forgotten best team in the country.” 

Now, as Oregon heads into the playoffs, Gabriel has a chance to rewrite the narrative. His leadership and ability to thrive under pressure have already set him apart. As one analyst wondered saying, “I do wonder if he is going to age better in terms of how we talk about him based off this playoff run than it seemed, to the credit he got, some of the postseason chatter already.”

It’s time to stop sleeping on Dillon Gabriel. The Ducks’ success basically depends on him, and as the Heisman ceremony and playoffs approach, the world might finally give him the recognition he deserves. Meanwhile, have you heard what Deion Sanders had to say about Gabriel’s Heisman status?

Coach Prime isn’t thrilled about Dillon Gabriel’s Heisman buzz

Deion Sanders has been all-in for Travis Hunter’s Heisman campaign, calling him the most deserving player and even revealing he cast his vote for the Buffs’ two-way star. But with Dillon Gabriel gaining traction, Coach Prime isn’t liking it much.

Shedeur Sanders, who threw for 368 more yards and seven more touchdowns than Gabriel in one fewer game, hasn’t gotten the same recognition. Comparing the two, Deion posted, “Lawd Jesus!”—a clear sign of his annoyance with the bias toward Gabriel.

While Oregon’s undefeated record solidifies Gabriel’s spot, Colorado’s three losses hurt Shedeur’s case. Still, experts argue Shedeur might have a better NFL future, pointing to flaws in Gabriel’s game that could impact his draft stock. For now, Gabriel’s Heisman rise is undeniable—but Coach Prime isn’t letting it slide.