Eric Bieniemy evaluates UCLA's 'fun group' of new quarterbacks

The quarterback room for UCLA is pretty solidified at the top going into 2023: Returning quarterback Ethan Garbers is expected to lock down the QB1 role. But behind him, there’s plenty in flux.

And new Bruins offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy shared recently that he’s loved working with the cadre of young quarterbacks that UCLA has brought in. They might not be game ready at the moment, but Bieniemy isn’t overwrought with concern about that.

“They’re rookies, and they’re freshmen for a reason,” Bieniemy said. “But, I will say this: They’re a fun bunch. They’re a fun group. They’re very intelligent and they work at it.”

Right now, UCLA has eight quarterbacks on the roster. Five of them are a redshirt sophomore or younger: Justyn Martin (R-SO), Luke Duncan (R-FR), Demaricus Davis (FR), Henry Hasselbeck (FR), and Karson Gordon (FR).

While none of those five are ready to be cut loose in a game, Bieniemy does see them making the necessary strides to eventually see the field.

“Some of it, it’s not going to make any sense to them,” Bieniemy said. “And that’s OK, and I understand that. But the beauty of it is I’ve watched each and every one of them take a necessary step forward. Now, is it a small, minute step? Yes. Because it’s a lot to chew on. Because when you’re playing that position, regardless of what level you’re in, with that position comes a great deal of responsibility. So, they’re coming into their own. Now some guys mature faster than others. But, do we have talent? Yeah, we’ve got some talent. But they just need to continue to work and continue learning all the little things that it’s going to take for them to be a successful player.”

A new running back transfer is acclimating to UCLA

Jalen Berger will be at UCLA eventually, as head coach DeShaun Foster estimated it will be about a week before the running back is practicing.

Berger committed to UCLA out of the transfer portal in late-July following stints at Michigan State and Wisconsin. Going into his fifth season, this could be the reset Berger needs and Foster is certainly excited.

But the head coach didn’t want to put a timetable on Berger’s readiness.

“I think maybe about a week and a half or so,” Foster said. “I don’t really want to put dates on him because … he’s doing a great job. He’s strong and I just want to see him just get really back to it … I don’t want him to get in shape with practice. I truly want him to be ‘back.’”

Berger spent two seasons in both East Lansing and Madison, entering his fifth year of college football. In just five games last year, the running back accumulated 93 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries. An injury kept him off the field and then a coaching change occurred, leading to a second portal entrance.

The 2022 season was where Berger showed he was capable of being a school’s lead back. Michigan State handed him the ball 148 times, more than double anybody else on the roster. Berger went for 683 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry.