Gabriel finalized his storied high school career but was academically unable to enroll at Miami (Fla.) or Oregon State or any large school where he was recruited. He enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) in Perkinston, MS where he had a breakout 2000 fall season and made passing grades in the classroom, refocusing on playing at a larger university. Gabriel signed with and attended the University of Central Florida and was a two-year letterman in football. He finished his stellar college football career with 97 receptions for 1,869 yards and 20 touchdowns and added 795 yards on 37 kickoff returns (21.5 avg.). His 1,869 receiving yards rank ninth on the school's career-record list while his 20 receiving touchdowns rank fifth.
Gabriel was selected by the Raiders in the fifth-round (167th overall) of the 2003 NFL draft.[2]
New England Patriots
On September 2, 2006, Gabriel was traded to the New England Patriots for a fifth round pick in the 2007 NFL draft.[3] In 2006, Gabriel appeared in 12 games (five starts) for the Patriots and caught 25 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns. He was waived by the team on December 12, 2006.[3]
Oakland Raiders (second stint)
A day after being released by the Patriots, Gabriel re-signed with the Raiders on December 13, 2006.[3] Gabriel appeared in three games for the team that season, catching five passes for 84 yards. On August 27, 2007, the Raiders released him.[3]
Cincinnati Bengals
After spending the 2007 season out of football, Gabriel signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on April 8, 2008. He was released by the team on May 29, 2008.[3]
Florida Tuskers
Gabriel was signed by the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League (UFL) on August 25, 2009.[4] He was released by the Tuskers prior to the team's first game.
California Redwoods
Gabriel then signed on with another UFL team, the California Redwoods, on October 12, 2009. He played in five games, starting one, for the Redwoods in 2009.[5]
Gabriel was assigned to the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League on January 18, 2011.[6] He caught 12 passes for 104 yards and two touchdowns in 2011.[7] He was placed on injured reserve on June 2, 2011.[6]
Post-playing career
Gabriel became offensive coordinator at East River High School (Fla.) HS in 2013, then became head football coach in September 2014 on an interim basis after the previous head coach resigned under pressure.[8] In August 2015, Gabriel denied a rumor that he was leaving East River to take an internship with the Oakland Raiders.[9]
