Dante Moore on being in UCLA quarterback rotation: 'It's a true blessing'

Chip Kelly is rolling out a three-quarterback system this year, with Ethan Garbers as the starter for Week 1 against Coastal Carolina. That means highly touted recruit Dante Moore is behind him after the competition through camp.

Still, he’s keeping things in perspective.

Moore talked about what it means to be in the mix in UCLA’s quarterback rotation as a true freshman. He and Collin Schlee will both likely see action in the opener, according to Kelly, even though Garbers will start. To be in that conversation, Moore said, is special.

“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.”

Dante Moore on excitement for his freshman season: ‘It’s not like high school anymore’

Moore arrived in Brentwood with plenty of hype on the recruiting trail. He was a Five Star Plus+ recruit, meaning he was one of the only players ranked by all four major recruiting media companies as a five star. A Martin Luther King (MI) product, he was the No. 3-ranked player in the nation from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

As a true freshman, there’s not only a learning curve on the field, but also the pageantry that comes with college football. Add in the fact that UCLA plays in the Rose Bowl, and Moore has to get ready to deal with a big stage.

He knows it, too, which also adds to the excitement of playing the game even if he’s not the starting quarterback.

“I know playing out there in the Rose Bowl — I’ve been up there before — but I know playing in the Rose Bowl, for sure, is going to be insane with the great fans and really just understanding I’m in college football now. It’s not like high school anymore,” Moore said. “I’m in college football where things got intense. I’m just truly blessed. I know there’s a lot of work to still be done, but I can’t wait.”

Moore will get his first taste of a college football atmosphere Saturday when UCLA hosts Coastal Carolina. Kickoff is at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.