The NFL is back in action bright and early in Week 5 with another international game. This time, they are in London with the Cleveland Browns taking on the Minnesota Vikings, who were just in Dublin last week. The Browns made a big decision in the lead-up to the game by benching their starting quarterback, Joe Flacco, after a rough start to the season.
They are going with rookie Dillon Gabriel, who will be making his first career NFL start, in hopes of turning their fortunes around. Take a look at his road to the NFL.
Where is Dillon Gabriel From?
Gabriel was born in Mililani, Hawaii, in 2000 to two Hawaiian parents, Garrett and Dori.
Gabriel is a native Hawaiian who spent his childhood in Hawaii, playing football. He eventually found his way to play college football at UCF and is now preparing for his NFL debut.
Dillon Gabriel getting some early 60 yard tosses in from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 2 hours before the game pic.twitter.com/r6OOoUt2GV
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) October 5, 2025
Gabriel was dominant for Mililani High School, where he shattered all types of passing records. It wasn’t a low bar either. He also took the state high school passing record, where Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa was the previous record holder.
He had a wild college career, playing at UCF for three years, the University of Oklahoma for two, and finishing with the Oregon Ducks, before being selected in Round 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. He announced himself as a freshman with a very successful season with UCF.
Looking to make a step up after his junior year, he took the starting role at Oklahoma, where he continued to shine. He threw for 6,828 yards, 55 touchdowns, and only 12 interceptions. In his last season with Oklahoma, he led the Big 12 in completion percentage, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.
He made the final leap to an Oregon team that finished 13-0 with the No.1 seed in the College Football Playoff before being dismantled by Ohio State. But Gabriel was outstanding for the Ducks. He was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and even finished third in Heisman voting.
All these roads lead to London. Gabriel will look to make a statement in his first career start, as his family watches from his native Hawaii. His dad didn’t have a passport and had no way of getting one in time to watch his son in London. They are watching on TV with plenty of excitement. It is very early in Hawaii as the game kicks off at 3:30 a.m.
Dillon Gabriel’s parents live in Hawaii and are watching his NFL debut today on TV, per the broadcast.
The time in Hawaii right now? 3:30 AM. pic.twitter.com/epKRLKnm8q
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 5, 2025
The time won’t matter for the Gabriel family. It is the biggest moment of Gabriel’s career, and all his hard work can finally show for something.
From a little boy from Hawaii to playing in the NFL in London, Gabriel’s dream has finally been realized, as his family can watch on with plenty of pride and joy.
During the game, the broadcast revealed that he was reportedly named after former NFL running back Corey Dillon, hence the spelling of his first name. His dad revealed that former NFL QB Brady Quinn was in consideration for Gabriel’s name, but they eventually settled on Dillon. Now, the rest is history. Dillon Gabriel is ready to take the league by storm.
