A year from the day he committed to transfer to Oregon for his final season of college football, Dillon Gabriel is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

Oregon’s quarterback is one of four players headed to New York City, where the 90th winner of college football’s highest individual honor will be presented Saturday night (5 p.m., ESPN).

Gabriel will be joined by Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

On the anniversary of his decision to come to Oregon, Gabriel reflected on the past year.

“If you step back and look, you understand that there is a why behind our current situation, and that is the work we have put in,” Gabriel said. “The countless hours we spend learning this offense, being with the guys and networking with others so we can go into the season with a really good feeling. I also watch all the plays that have been made. Special teams don’t come here just because they play regular games and consistently dominate. There are ups and downs. There is adversity. There are player losses. The whole season has its own challenge within the day, within the week. My goodness, you appreciate the journey; the work of getting exactly where you are, where your feet are. Because you understand that you are putting in all the time and effort. You sacrificed. You wanted to achieve this goal.

“It’s far from over, but one of our goals was to win every game, win the Big Ten championship and put ourselves in a good position. I think when I look back, I trusted my heart and it always served me right. I trusted coach (Dan) Lanning and on that first call where we met in person and talked, he didn’t change. He doesn’t change, without recruit banter. Who he was is who he is, and that’s what I value most. Then when you’re with the boys, that’s the most fulfilling part. I smile every day because I really enjoy coming into the building every day. I enjoy working with these people. I love putting in the work, time and energy. I love the veterans’ adult conversations. I love the young people who keep us young. It’s not about success. This is because we are able to create a positive environment for everyone. For every athlete, for every player, that is where people thrive and that is the reason for success.”

CFP Quarterfinals: No. 1 Oregon (13-0) vs. No. 8 Ohio State (10-2)/No. 9Tennessee (10-2)

• When: Wednesday, January 1st
• Time: 2:00 p.m. PT
• Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
• TV channel: ESPN
• 2024 Oregon Ducks Football Season Schedule, Results
• Sign up for The Ducks Beat newsletter

Gabriel is the fifth Heisman Trophy finalist in Oregon history, joining Joey Harrington (2001), LaMichael James (2010), Marcus Mariota (2014 winner) and Bo Nix (2023).

As a sixth-grader, Gabriel ranks second nationally in completion percentage (73.2%), seventh in passer efficiency rating (166.57), and eighth in passing yards (3,558) and passing touchdowns (28). . He also has 192 yards and seven scores this season, which puts Gabriel ninth nationally in yards per game (8.0).

A finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, Gabriel will be in Las Vegas on Tuesday along with the other finalists for that award before heading to New York. He is also a finalist for the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Awards, which will be presented Thursday night during the College Football Awards show.

Gabriel, the most experienced starting quarterback in NCAA history, will make his 63rd career start for the No. 1 Ducks (13-0) against the winner of No. 8 Ohio State and No. 9 Tennessee in a College Football Playoff quarterback in the Rose Bowl on January 1st.

“Obviously our vision has been somewhat fulfilled,” Lanning said. “You often talk about a vision and what you hope it could become, and now I would say the proof is there with Dillon. He has done an incredible job leading our team this year. It is no longer a vision; it is a reality. I think often your thoughts create your intentions and your intentions create a reality. Dillon did incredibly well.”

— James Crepea covers that Oregon Ducks and Big Ten. Listen to this Ducks Confidential Podcast or subscribe Ducks Roundup Newsletter.