Dillon Gabriel and the gulch: How bond forged in Hawaiian ravine will be key in climb OU’s 2022 season poses
Dillon Gabriel and the gulch: How bond forged in Hawaiian ravine will be key in climb OU’s 2022 season poses: Oahu’s Gabriels live behind a deep ravine.
Dori Gabriel doesn’t go through it, but she remembers watching her son, Dillon Gabriel, guide Jeff Lebby through it on their first date. After two hours, the quarterback showed the coach the tortoises in his backyard.
Lebby ate lunch had the Gabriels’ Mililani home, where inquiries were answered. Garrett Gabriel, a former UH quarterback and island hero, discussed his son’s on-field questions with a Central Florida assistant. Dori, concerned about Dillon’s well-being, asked about education, housing, and program support in Orlando, Florida.
The most essential element of the visit was the teen and coach’s journey through the ravine. That day, they formed a trust that spans six time zones and four colleges. All of it culminated last winter when the couple reunited in Norman, a community used to a troubled football program and quick coaching change. Lebby and Gabriel must lead the 2022 Oklahoma Sooners to victory.
“Lebby and Dillon love deeply, but they’re hard on each other,” Dori said, reflecting on the flurry of events that made her son Oklahoma’s starting quarterback in Lebby’s scheme this fall. “You need that kind of friendship to compete for this prestigious program. You require deep trust.”
After the trek, Dillon graduated high school early and traveled to Orlando, where he passed for 8,037 yards and 70 touchdowns in three seasons at UCF, but only one with Lebby. After Lebby left, Dillon’s character, leadership, and talent no longer impressed.
Dillon shattered his collarbone on the final play of a 42-35 defeat to Louisville in September and missed the remainder of the season. The time out gave Dillon perspective on his circumstances, and he decided to enter the transfer portal to find a better fit.
Dillon visited Lebby at Mississippi but was upset to find he was going to OU, his old mater, with Caleb Williams as a quarterback. Dillon chose UCLA for its strong academics, higher-caliber football team, and proximity to home.
Lebby contacted the Gabriels the day before Dillon’s first class as a Bruin to tell them Williams was entering the transfer portal and the Sooners needed a quarterback. The Gabriels’ tense hours followed.
Statement
“Lebby responded, ‘Things are changing. Dori remarked, “I know you’ve made decisions, but I need another.” “I was finished. “What?” Reopen?'”
“Eight months later, I get it. Dillon didn’t belong at UCLA. Something was missing from his decision. Lebby and Dillon’s conversation and OU’s offer made perfect sense. So flights were canceled and plans changed, and as a parent, the correct decisions are generally the hardest.
Venables contacted Dillon the next morning, Jan. 3, and spent 90 minutes answering the family’s queries through Zoom. Garrett felt like he was listening to a motivational speaker and admired that Venables trusted Lebby enough to believe in Dillon. Dori remembers Venables’ emphasis on an emotional link between Dillon and OU — the missing piece in UCLA’s commitment.
Dillon, who grew up in a family that valued connections, was reassured by Venables’ ideals.
“I felt it with Coach (Venables) because there’s a lot of faith and trust in coming here,” Dillon said. “I needed faith and trust to make a buzzer-beater decision. Because it was late, they understood I was taking a risk. I had a lot of faith in Coach Lebby, but Coach Venables cemented it.
Dillon declared his commitment to OU hours after Williams entered the portal. Since coming in Norman, he has prioritized meals and retreats with his new teammates to improve on-field chemistry for the Sooners’ Sept. 3 season opener against UTEP, for which 20 family members will travel to support Dillon in his first start.
Dillon’s upbringing on the island-shaped his strong bonds and love for people. He enjoys simplicity, therefore he compares Norman to Mililani and found OU to be his home.
Dori identified Dillon. “He’s visionary. He’s social and deeply loves. I think that’s why it was so hard for him to transfer to the gateway; he loved the guys, but the fit wasn’t right. So whenever he goes, he likes to generate chemistry and inculcate love.
Family-first
Dillon’s aunt, Dori’s twin, lives a street over, and Mililani High and its football field are a 10-minute walk. From grocery shopping to Sunday barbecues, the Gabriels do everything together.
Dillon’s immediate family has played varied roles in his life. Garrett was Dillon’s quarterback coach and pushed him to be great. Dillon says he was a good dad and coach who knew when to switch. As Dillon aged, he eased his teaching, but he’s still asked for advice.
Garrett, the Rainbow Warriors’ career and single-season passing yards leader, didn’t affect Dillon’s fluid throwing motion, but he emphasized footwork and analyzing defenses. When Dillon was 12, his Manoa Paniolos reached ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando. Garrett assessed Dillon’s competitors and informed Dori, “Our boy can play.” A few years later, his son started college in Florida.
Garrett: “He was a leader.” “He was a greater quarterback and leader than me. Quietly, I led. Men flock to him. I understood from a young age he possessed the most important quarterback trait: rallying the squad.
Dillon and Dori are both “mama’s boys.” Dori, a former collegiate softball player, is ridiculed by her youngest son, Roman, who is Dillon’s biggest fan and knows every OU player’s name, number, and position.
Dori’s ability to refocus a dinner table of competitive players away from football is something Dillon admires. Instead of play calls or offensive installations, the Gabriels give thanks.
“I adore her so much, and we usually joke around, but we butt heads because we’re so alike,” Dillon remarked. “She knows how to play the mother role, saying ‘Hey, let’s do this’ when football gets too much. She’s not football-obsessed. She’s a fantastic balance.”
6-foot-3 Roman is Garrett’s teammate at Mililani High. Roman claims he’s better than Dillon at one-on-one, mini hoops, and video games, despite what Dori and Dillon said. As a combination guard instead of a wide receiver, he attempts to mimic Dillon’s leadership on the court.
Garrison Gabriel is Dillon’s best friend. After two years in California, Garrison relocated to Hawaii to watch Dillon’s final year, then to Orlando for three seasons at UCF. Garrison lives in Norman, where he controls his brother’s business operations and owns 50% of “DG the Brand”
Dillon’s network goes beyond family. During summers on the island, he and a few pals threw in Mililani or a small park. They’d lift in Dillon’s garage gym, shower, nap, and relax in the living room before practice or the beach. Dillon believes it’s equally vital to rest after work.
The Gabriels have fed the Mililani football team after games, and that’s not the first time. Garrett calls his buddies “Hanai family,” meaning they’re welcomed into a gathering as if they’ve always been there.
Dillon convinced Garrett to train Mililani High basketball players in the garage in 2019. Dillon worked out with the younger Trojans for two hours, three to four days a week, wearing matching tank tops. Even students who didn’t make the Mililani team lifted, motivated by Dillon.
Dillon rides the bench like an assistant coach when home from college. His presence helped Garrett, Roman, and the squad reach the 2021-22 state championship game.
Dillon “pushed and energised us,” says Roman. “He was vital. Why can’t we win huge games if college athletes can? I thought his weightlifting push provided us a plan for our state championship run.
Others-inspiring
Dillon’s care for others he bonds with beyond immediate family shone at a garage sale when he informed Dori he wanted to buy $10 used cleats despite them not being his size. Mililani High teammate lacked game shoes.
“He wants everyone to feel prepared,” said Dori. “Seeing people with little made him sad. As a Catholic mom, I love that it’s not about me. Right?… If you’re happy, you’ll play well since it’s natural. You’re prepared, have the right equipment, and can perform well on the field or court.
Dillon’s investment in Mililani High has only grown. Honolulu’s Punahou School was his middle school. Cost and commute cut into Gabriels’ family time. Individualism trumped teamwork, against Gabriel family ideals.
Dillon recommended leaving Punahou and attending Mililani for high school during dinner one night. Though he had fewer offensive tools, his offseason community league friendships gave him confidence in what they could do together. Dori feels it’s Gabriels’ best decision.
Garrett: “I think that prompted a bunch of wonderful things in our life” “The time we saved and spent as a family was more satisfying than we imagined. We ate, spoke, didn’t wake up early, and the brothers interacted more.
“I believe God blessed us then. We realised we could play at a prestigious high school, but it wasn’t all that. He taught us that spending time together is more important.
Dillon was inspired by Mililani administrator Fred Murphy, who emphasised hard work and extracurriculars. Lebby’s coach, Rod York, trusted in him. Dillon replaced injured McKenzie Milton as a freshman. Despite his youth, he led older players until a shoulder injury interrupted his season.
Gabriel became Hawaii’s all-time high school passing leader, surpassing Timmy Chang and Tua Tagovailoa. Milton went to UCF and launched a Golden Knights revolution while recruiting his former backup.
When Lebby returned from the Gabriels’ ravine, rumour about Central Florida’s recruiting of Dillon was that he wanted to win.
With Milton ailing to start the season, Dillon became the Golden Knights’ starting in their second game and never gave it back, demonstrating a talent for connecting with older teammates. His family went from believing he’d redshirt to buying season tickets.
Steven Smith was the Golden Knights’ director of player development at the time, having arrived to Orlando thanks to Lebby, whom he’d worked alongside at Southeastern University in 2017.
Smith liked Dillon when they met, but his conviction in him was confirmed when they crossed paths at UCF. Dillon was delighted to be in Orlando pursing his aspirations and learning from others, including after-practice visits to Smith’s office.
Smith: “He always listened to others to get perspective.” “There’s something about this young girl I admire,” she said.
Gabriel asked Smith about being his agent in October 2020, before the NCAA allowed athletes to benefit from name, image, and likeness. Smith reevaluated his status in collegiate football and enjoyed the concept of helping athletes. He left the Golden Knights to work for UCF startup Dreamfield.
Dillon started paying Smith in December 2021 and urged him to extend his clientele, not wanting him to rely on one player’s longevity. Smith lives in Norman and works for Malka Sports, which represents OU wide receiver Jalil Farooq. Gabriel and Farooq signed sponsorship deals with EvoShield and filmed promotions at Harve Collins Stadium.
Dillon has used his fame to repay the school that shaped him and inspire others. He approached Murphy and asked if he might negotiate a sponsorship on Mililani High’s behalf.
Dillon and Smith teamed with BSN Sports to create a Nike partnership for the Trojans basketball team and other sports. Gabriel announced the cooperation in Mililani’s gym on May 13. His father’s team gets new home, away, and alternate jerseys, shoes, backpacks, and pregame sweats.
“We had more than enough, but Coach Venables changed my perspective of ‘best is the standard,’” Dillon recalled, echoing one of the OU coach’s most prominent mantras. If we’re going to work hard, you should get the best treatment. Best is required. Understand? You need the greatest equipment since it affects your performance on the field and in life.
We have great plans for next year, and I don’t want to do this just once. I value long-term vision. We should do this every year and see how much we’ve accomplished in 10 years.
Dillon’s other NIL partnerships, including Cuts Clothing, Hawaii-founded Waiakea Volcanic Water, and Bob Moore Auto, netted him a new truck. They’re true to Dillon’s laid-back personality and act as industry links for after football. They provide him more chances to give back, like when he supported Oklahoma Blood Institute drives at Bob Moore outlets.
Dori saw an expensive Airbnb rental on Dillon’s account in mid-June and thought he’d been hacked. He was headed to meet the Sooners’ skill players for a weekend “DimeTime Retreat” at a ranch in Lawton.
The trip was inspired by Russell Wilson’s retreats for his Seattle Seahawks colleagues, which included a trip to Hawaii in 2015. OU’s quarterbacks, running backs, receivers, and tight ends studied the offence, held throwing sessions, hit the lake, played golf, pool, and Madden NFL, and ate together with no phones.
Dillon wants everyone to bond and converse naturally. Putting down phones, eating meals together, and breaking bread was the best way. It’s best to eat and tell your tale when dining with anyone.
“We did that at home.” In Hawaii, we would barbeque in the backyard and relax there on Sundays or weekends with family and friends. Here, everything is natural and effortless. Everyone knows each other’s names and is close.
A month later, Dillon brought the offensive line on a party bus to a lake. While social media has increased prominence, it wasn’t for show.
Dillon knew the Sooners had a long, steep climb ahead of them. With the season approaching, he took the best path to build team bonds.
Garrett laughs because he thinks people wonder if he’s doing it because he’s new. “I enjoy that he’s not out of character. That’s him. I urge him, “Be yourself, no matter what others say.” If you lead, others will follow. We can’t care about sceptics.
Just lead those that want it. Always my response to him. You won’t get everyone, but you’ll get the successful ones.”
EVERYONE CARES
Someone yelled “welcome home” to Dillon and his family when they visited Oklahoma in January.
OU slugger Hauula, Hawaii, native Jocelyn Alo welcomed Dillon and Hawaii transfer Jonah La’ulu with chicken katsu curry and rice. Alo’s high school is near Mililani, and she played against Dillon’s cousin.
Alo nearly broke the NCAA lifetime home run record in Hawaii in March. Dori wanted to meet her, so she went to two of her four games. Many Oklahoma fans who weren’t player relatives traveled to support Alo and the Sooners.
Dori’s friend from the day before gave her Native American earrings at the second game. The woman’s native language gave Dori shivers.
“She said, ‘We’re very thrilled your son’s in Norman, and I want to bless you,'” Dori remembered. “That’s amazing. We’re not even in Norman, she just met me the day before, and she’s giving me a gift. Hawaii is similar. I learned this from a woman. This confirmed everything, I thought.
“This experience, this voyage, is so (Dillon). Wow, how did this happen? This was inevitable. OU was like his Mililani because he needed a family. He considers it home. As a mom, I want him to feel protected, loved, and cherished. He’ll succeed.”
Since Dillon’s decision, his family has encountered occurrences they wouldn’t in Orlando. The local florist recognised Dillon’s girlfriend when Dori requested birthday flowers. The apartment’s maintenance man and a local OU alumnus are close friends.
The 30 Gabriels at the spring game were overshadowed by the 75,360 who came to inaugurate the Venables era and honour Baker Mayfield. Dillon gave Roman a postgame locker room tour and confirmed how high the standard is at Oklahoma, even in the offseason.
OU teammates occasionally beat Dillon to the football facilities in the morning. At a football-rich school, players are more motivated to putting in the time and effort needed to improve.
Dillon feels “a deeper care” among returning staff members like Venables and Jerry Schmidt. He sees it in Lebby, DeMarco Murray, Joe Jon Finley, Jon Cooper, and Phil Loadholt. Dori claims fans “felt something” after Lincoln Riley and Williams left for California.
The familial culture at OU is like the Hanai common-cause ethos, which led to Dillon and Lebby’s lasting connection. Though they’ve been separated, they’re back like they never left, continuing their trip as part of a larger family in a place that feels like home.
OU has a family atmosphere because so many people care about the program, Dillon said. “These coaches attended school and played here. Knowing that everyone in the building cares elevates us when it comes to putting out a product on the field.
“People go the additional mile” They want to be special. Then I realised this site was special. I know since I’ve seen and attended different programs. I’ve travelled.
“This place isn’t normal, in a good way.”