Dillon Gabriel – Oregon’s Leading Man

Dillon Gabriel is back again with yet another act of selflessness.

The Oregon quarterback (QB) recently partnered with VICIS in the brand’s “Trailblazers” campaign. The purpose of the video is to advertise the brand’s willingness to push boundaries and stand out.

“The world isn’t made for the Trailblazers, the rebels, the agitators,” the narrator says, describing what VICIS represents. “We challenge, we’re the ones that push beyond…that make it uncomfortable for the lazy. We think freely.”

Switching things up

Usually, players are compensated with money as part of their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. However, Gabriel isn’t profiting off of this deal. Instead, the brand is supporting another one of Gabriel’s endeavors. 

According to On3, VICIS served as a presenting sponsor at Gabriel’s recent I’M INSPIRED event at his former high school in Mililani, Hawaii this past May. 

With the help of VICIS, the QB donated new helmets and shoulder pads for the school’s football team. Over the past three years, Gabriel has raised more than $250,000 for several of the school’s sports teams. 

Gabriel comes across as a born leader. So, using his endorsement deals to fund others, rather than himself isn’t unusual for the 23-year-old. 

How Gabriel is stepping up on the field

Last year, Gabriel discussed his time with his former team, the Oklahoma Sooners. Although he shared his disappointment with how the team’s 2022 season ended, he also mentioned his determination and the new goals he had for himself and the team.

“I think that’s the next step, obviously, seeing where I can take this thing,” Gabriel said. “It’s not just where it’s at, but taking (the team) to a whole other level. That’s important on my end, but also just leading, [and] being more vocal. This is my team, and I’m taking the full range of that. So, (I’m) just focusing on that and making sure I’m coming to work every day because I’m setting the tone” OU Daily reports.

He also talked about how he doesn’t let trivial things like pressure get in the way of his success. He says he is simply grateful for the opportunity to do what he does.

What’s important here is not how he performed with his former team, but his attitude in terms of improving under tough circumstances ⎯and Gabriel stepped up during the following season as Gabriel led all Big 12 quarterbacks in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passing efficiency.

“It shows the kind of kid he is that with all this adversity around him in terms of, coming off a losing season,” said TJ Eckert, the Sports Director at KTUL, a news channel based in Tulsa “This team embodied him in terms of a mental approach…an emotional approach. He was the emotional leader of the offense at least and I think he really impressed a lot of people this year.”

An affable athlete

It’s not just me who sees the leadership qualities in Gabriel. His new coach also has great things to say about him, as well.

Oregon coach Dan Lenning recently shared Gabriel’s commitment to his team.

“He’s a guy that cares about people,” Lanning said. about his newly appointed quarterback. “Everything that Dillon does, talks about, goes back to who on this team can he impact, who else can he influence?”

Gabriel is currently the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Depending on how his season in Oregon goes, he has a solid chance of coming out of the race victorious.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by what kinds of activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.