Former Josh Heupel coached quarterback receives a starting opportunity in the NFL
A quarterback that Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel coached before arriving at UT is receiving a starting opportunity in the NFL. Multiple reports indicated on Wednesday morning that the Cleveland Browns are benching quarterback Joe Flacco in favor of rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel. Gabriel was selected by the Browns in the third round of […]
A quarterback that Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel coached before arriving at UT is receiving a starting opportunity in the NFL.
Multiple reports indicated on Wednesday morning that the Cleveland Browns are benching quarterback Joe Flacco in favor of rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
Gabriel was selected by the Browns in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Dillon Gabriel played for Josh Heupel for two seasons at UCF
Gabriel, who finished his college career at Oregon after spending two seasons at Oklahoma, played for Heupel for two seasons at UCF.
The Hawaii native was Heupel’s starting quarterback at UCF in 2019 and 2020. Gabriel passed for 7,223 yards and 61 touchdowns during those two seasons (he also rushed for six touchdowns).
In 2023, Heupel praised Gabriel as a “winner”.
“Dillon’s a winner,” said Heupel. “I’m saying that, just he’s relentless in the way that he works off the field, on the practice field, and competes that way every single Saturday. And he’s extremely bright. Understands defense and offensively what you’re doing. Because of that, he gets the ball out quick.”
A couple of Heupel’s former players from Tennessee — wide receiver Cedric Tillman and running back Dylan Sampson — are teammates with Gabriel in Cleveland.
Tillman, though, was placed on injured reserve this week after suffering an injury in the Browns’ loss to the Detroit Lions this past Sunday.
I’m sure Heupel will be keeping a close eye on his former quarterback’s first career NFL start on Sunday morning when the Browns take on the Minnesota Vikings.
Tennessee Volunteers News
Former Alabama QB Greg McElroy gives the Tennessee Vols some in-season bulletin board material
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