Dillon Gabriel breaks down significance of wearing Marcus Mariota's No. 8 at Oregon

There’s often a story behind the number, but rarely is it as powerful as Dillon Gabriel‘s No. 8 at Oregon. In fact, the story of Gabriel’s number even predates his stint with the Ducks, but it has certainly come full-circle in Eugene.

A Hawaii native, Gabriel was well aware of the tremendous career Marcus Mariota, a fellow Hawaii native, had during his college days.

Mariota was the inspiration for Gabriel. He wanted to be as productive as Mariota, but he also wanted to give back in some of the same ways that Mariota has to his hometown community.

“Yeah, I remember being in the equipment room with Kenny Farr on my visit and we were talking about numbers,” Dillon Gabriel said of his Oregon visit this offseason. “No. 8 came up and I gave a little quick text to Marcus, I just wanted his blessing. He said absolutely.”

Mariota was a stud for Oregon wearing No. 8. He was impactful across multiple seasons, but few people who witnessed it will ever forget his 2014 campaign.

Oregon advanced to the College Football Playoff in its inaugural season as Mariota won the 2014 Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Hawaii-born athlete to win college football’s most prestigious award.

So it’s no small deal that Gabriel now wears the same number.

“I wear it with great honor and privilege, but it’s always a reminder that I represent more than just myself,” Dillon Gabriel said. “Ten years later another quarterback from Hawaii is repping the No. 8, so it’s a huge reminder of what I represent and the University of Oregon, Marcus Mariota.”

Gabriel figures to put up big numbers himself, listed as one of the Heisman Trophy favorites for the 2024 campaign.

So far in his career, Gabriel has accounted for 152 total touchdowns, 15,925 total yards, 14,865 passing yards and 125 passing touchdowns. Each of those figures ranks in the top 10 in NCAA history.

But it’s not the accolades that impress his coach, Dan Lanning, it’s how well Dillon Gabriel has integrated into the Oregon program.

“What’s maybe impressed me the most with Dillon is his ability to connect with people not just in our program, but outside of our program,” Lanning said. “Whether that’s taking an offensive retreat or taking our players to different parts of Oregon to throw the ball around in fellowship, or it’s having the managers over to his house to watch a fight or eat a meal. He’s really done a great job of connecting quickly and I’m really excited about the experience he brings to the position.”