Dillon Gabriel, Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart will be the faces of Oregon football through the air next season, and there are high expectations for the trio.
Gabriel is ranked as the second-best quarterback in the country heading into next season, per PFF's Max Chadwick. Among wide receivers, Johnson is ranked fourth and Stewart is ninth.
Gabriel is a native of Oklahoma who has committed to transfer to Oregon in December of 2023. Prior to transferring to Oklahoma, he played at UCF from 2019 to 2021. Gabriel was successful at both schools, compiling a 33-16 record as the starting quarterback.
Gabriel has thrown for 14,865 yards with 125 touchdowns and 26 interceptions in his career, but he's not just a one-trick pony, he's also effective on the ground, rushing for 1,030 yards and 26 touchdowns in his career.
“(Dillon Gabriel) is (already) one of the guys … joking around with us in the locker room … he's going to have his best season ever.”
– Tez Johnson, Oregon Ducks via SI
Johnson is coming off an outstanding senior season at Oregon after playing his first three years at Troy, where he recorded 1,182 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns on 86 catches and will look to improve on those numbers in his final season with the Ducks.
Johnson will likely be one of the leading candidates for the Fred Biletinoff Award, given annually to the best wide receiver in college football.
“He's got speed and I think it shows. He has the ability to get out on the break and get out and he can really create separation with his speed. Obviously, he's a little light, so we've got to keep him putting on weight and wait until he's a consistent player because if he takes a few hits with his size, he's not going to be as productive.”
– Dan Lanning talks about Tez Johnson (via DucksWire)
Stewart was one of the top transfers in the portal this offseason and ultimately found playing for head coach Dan Lanning at Oregon to be the best next step for him. In his sophomore season at Texas A&M, he posted 514 receiving yards, 38 catches and four touchdowns. In his freshman season, Stewart posted 649 receiving yards, 53 catches and two touchdowns.
It's important to keep in mind that this has been a tough two seasons for the Aggies, who went 12-13, so it's not hard to imagine how much of the field could open up for Stewart with Oregon's offensive scheme.
“What impresses me most about Evan is the way he attacks the ball in the air. He can contort his body and move in different directions, which allows him to get the ball where other guys don't. He's really an attacker when the ball is in the air.”
– Dan Lanning talks about Evan Stewart (via 247Sport)
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