Senior Bowl quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Riley Leonard are attempting to restore the ‘Brady phenomenon’ by showcasing their extensive college careers. These seasoned players, who have honed their skills across multiple programs, are here to elevate their draft prospects and demonstrate their readiness for the NFL.
Dillon Gabriel, donning an Oregon helmet during practice, represents a rich history of college football. With stickers from Central Florida and Oklahoma adorning his gear, Gabriel’s journey has taken him through three schools over six seasons. At 24, he has made a significant impact, finishing fourth in Heisman voting after a standout year at Oregon. His impressive career statistics include 64 games played, 18,722 passing yards, and 155 touchdown passes, setting NCAA records along the way.
Interestingly, Gabriel is younger than Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough, who is 25 and has also experienced a diverse college path, spending three years at Oregon and Texas Tech before excelling last season with the Cardinals, where he threw for 23 touchdowns against just six interceptions.
Among the standout talents at the Senior Bowl are Riley Leonard, fresh from a national championship game with Notre Dame and a former Duke player, and Jaxson Dart, another promising prospect from Ole Miss who began his collegiate career at USC. Both quarterbacks aim to leverage this platform to enhance their visibility in the draft.
“I really enjoy the exposure, meeting coaches, and playing alongside these talented athletes,” Dart shared. “My goal is to absorb as much knowledge as possible to better my game.”
While these quarterbacks may not be in the elite tier for the upcoming 2025 draft—where Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are potential top-five picks—many see them as late-round diamonds in the rough. Alabama’s Jalen Milroe is also present, possibly positioning himself as the next quarterback off the board.
[Related: Inside the Shedeur Sanders, Cam Ward bond: ‘They want to be the No. 1 draft pick’]
Ward and Sanders boast an impressive 98 career wins, but the remaining 70 drafted quarterbacks collectively account for just 114 victories as starters, averaging only 1.6 wins per player. Current favorites like Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, and Trevor Siemian have not made significant strides, with their win totals hovering below 20.
The NFL landscape remains competitive, as teams in search of franchise quarterbacks continue to rely heavily on high draft picks. Last spring, six quarterbacks were selected within the top 12 picks, yielding mixed results. Only one rookie quarterback, Spencer Rattler of the Saints, managed to start a game, finishing with a winless record.
Drew Brees, a former Saints quarterback and the last pick in the 2001 draft, believes that the pressure to draft quarterbacks early has made it harder for lower-round picks to succeed. However, he remains optimistic that experienced college quarterbacks can defy the odds.
“As a scout, I would see a player like that and think, ‘He has the drive and competitive spirit we need to lead our team,'” Brees remarked. “There’s no guaranteed formula; even first-round picks have only about a 50% success rate.”
This draft class benefits from the NCAA’s decision to not count the 2020 season toward eligibility due to COVID-19. This ruling has previously aided quarterbacks in recent drafts and may bolster this year’s group as they aim to climb NFL draft boards.
“After losing the national championship game, I was determined to get back on the field,” said one player. “Sitting around thinking about it isn’t an option. I want to prove myself again. I feel confident, and I believe my best days are ahead of me.”
“I know I need to improve in many areas, but I’m ready to tackle those challenges and earn a spot on a team,” he added.
Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He previously spent a decade covering the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. You can follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.
