Chip Kelly: You'll see Collin Schlee during UCLA's Week 2 game

In UCLA’s season opener against Coastal Carolina, Chip Kelly started Ethan Garbers at quarterback. Behind him, highly-touted recruit Dante Moore also saw playing time. However, the third quarterback from UCLA’s position battle, Collin Schlee, missed the game.

According to Kelly, that’s not going to be a trend. Instead, Chip Kelly says that fans are going to see Schlee play in Week 2 when UCLA plays at San Diego State.

“We had talked about Garbs playing at least the first quarter and then putting Dante in at some point and time in the second quarter, and then putting Collin in situationally,” Chip Kelly said. “Collin missed the beginning of camp, so he’s just getting back to rounding into shape and has done some really good things.”

Ethan Garbers has the most experience of any of UCLA’s quarterbacks in Chip Kelly’s system. A redshirt junior, he’s been with the program since 2021 and won the job out of Fall Camp. However, he was inconsistent against Coastal Carolina, throwing two interceptions. He shared time in the game with Dante Moore, a five-star recruit in the 2023 cycle who was making his first college appearance.

For his part, Collin Schlee is a transfer to the Bruins from Kent State. There, he was a star for the Golden Flashes.

“But Collin not playing was 100 percent on me, and we explained that to him,” Kelly said. “But, you’ll see Collin next week when we play San Diego State.”

UCLA pulled away from Coastal Carolina in the fourth quarter to win 27-13. Next week, the Bruins travel to San Diego State where they’ll take on another talented Group of Five team in the Aztecs. San Diego State is 2-0, with wins over Ohio and Idaho State.

Dante Moore on being in UCLA’s QB rotation

UCLA might not have its full time quarterback figured out. However, it does have a rotation of players who Chip Kelly likes. For his part, Dante Moore feels blessed to be a part of that rotation.

“It’s a true blessing, for sure,” Moore said. “I know this quarterback room is really special. There’s many great quarterbacks. I’m the youngest in the room, so being out here with Garbs, Collin, Justyn [Martin], and especially Chase [Griffin]. Being out there, learning from them, learning from their mistakes, them telling me stories about just how the game goes and stuff like that. It’s a true blessing, for sure.”