History will be made this Sunday as the NFL showcases a highly anticipated matchup between two of the league’s rarest commodities: starting left-handed quarterbacks with deep Hawaiian roots.
When the Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa and the Cleveland Browns’ Dillon Gabriel take the field, it will mark the first time in 19 years that two left-handed quarterbacks have started against each other in an NFL game.
The connection between Tagovailoa, a Samoan who grew up in Hawaii, and Gabriel, a Native Hawaiian, adds another layer to the matchup. Gabriel, in fact, broke Tagovailoa’s Hawaii state high school record for career passing yards while starring at Mililani High School.
Both southpaws are known for their quick releases, anticipation, and precision passing — traits that have led to frequent comparisons from analysts, including Nick Saban, who once called Gabriel “another Hawaiian player we had — Tua.”
This rare quarterback duel shines a spotlight on the tight-knit community of Hawaiian players who have made their way to the NFL.
Here’s what you should know about Tagovailoa and Gabriel’s roots ahead of this unique showdown.
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Where is Tua Tagovailoa from?
Tagovailoa was born in ʻEwa Beach, Hawaii, and is of Samoan ancestry. He attended Saint Louis School in Honolulu, the same high school that produced former Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota.
Tagovailoa was Hawaii’s top high school prospect in the 2017 recruiting class, setting the state record for career passing yards at the time and throwing for 84 touchdowns before committing to the University of Alabama. His family’s strong cultural ties and faith played a central role in his upbringing in the islands.
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Where is Dillon Gabriel from?
Gabriel was born and raised in Mililani, Hawaii, and is of Filipino and Native Hawaiian ancestry. He attended his hometown Mililani High School, where he made history by surpassing Tagovailoa’s prestigious high school mark, finishing his prep career with 9,948 passing yards and 105 touchdowns.
Gabriel’s father, Garrett Gabriel, also has deep roots in the state's football history, having played quarterback for the University of Hawaii. Gabriel’s journey through the college ranks, where he played at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon, was marked by record-breaking production.
He is now making history again as the first quarterback from a public high school in Hawaiʻi to start an NFL game.
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NFL players from Hawaii
Hawaii consistently produces a high number of NFL players per capita, demonstrating the deep-rooted passion and talent for the sport in the islands.
The current generation of Hawaiian players is highly visible, especially at the quarterback position. Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota and Pro Bowler Tua Tagovailoa both hail from the islands (Tagovailoa is Samoan, while Mariota is of Samoan and European ancestry). The success of powerhouse high schools like Saint Louis School (Tua Tagovailoa, Marcus Mariota) and Punahou (DeForest Buckner, Ka'imi Fairbairn) showcases the robust development environment.
The following table lists active NFL players who graduated from high schools in Hawaii, based on rosters for the 2025 NFL season:
| Player Name | Position | NFL Team | High School (Hawaii) |
| Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Miami Dolphins | Saint Louis |
| Dillon Gabriel | QB | Cleveland Browns | Mililani |
| Marcus Mariota | QB | Washington Commanders | Saint Louis |
| DeForest Buckner | DT | Indianapolis Colts | Punahou |
| Ka'imi Fairbairn | K | Houston Texans | Punahou |
| Alohi Gilman | S | Baltimore Ravens | Kahuku |
| Nick Herbig | LB | Pittsburgh Steelers | Saint Louis |
| Andrei Iosivas | WR | Cincinnati Bengals | Punahou |
| Marist Liufau | LB | Dallas Cowboys | Punahou |
| Darius Muasau | LB | New York Giants | Mililani |
| Jonah Savaiinaea | G | Miami Dolphins | Saint Louis |
| Roman Wilson | WR | Pittsburgh Steelers | Saint Louis |
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Are Tua Tagovailoa and Dillon Gabriel friends?
Tagovailoa and Gabriel are generally not considered close friends, but they share a significant connection as left-handed quarterbacks from the Hawaiian islands.
Gabriel broke Tagovailoa’s prestigious high school passing record. Gabriel has acknowledged that he grew up watching and looking up to Tagovailoa and Marcus Mariota, viewing them as representatives of their shared heritage.
When asked about their relationship, Gabriel stated they "knew of Tua," acknowledging their cultural link and shared experience as the rare left-handed quarterbacks from Hawaii. However, he emphasized their primary connection is one of representation and historical comparison rather than close friendship.
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