Moliki Matavao explains how UCLA is different after transferring from Oregon

After two seasons playing at Oregon under two coaching staffs, tight end Moliki Matavao hit the transfer portal. And he didn’t go too far, staying in the Pac 12 and joining the UCLA program under Chip Kelly.

The former Duck raved about his new scenery and the people he’s getting to work with each day. From Kelly on down, Matavao has felt right at home.

“Big thing was just how coach Kelly really cares about the players, cares about the guys. Learning the defense, not to always take to the ground and save each other,” Matavao said.

Additionally, playing in the up-tempo offense that Kelly employs is attractive to a pass catcher like Matavao.

Matavao played in 26 games at Oregon in two seasons there, including 14 as a true freshman. He didn’t become a dominant pass catcher or command a lions share of targets, but he was productive when he got the ball. On 19 career receptions, Matavao has 209 yards and two touchdowns.

Playing with new and heralded quarterback Dante Moore at UCLA, Matavao has a chance to build on those totals under Kelly.

“But then also, the high tempo, high pace coach Kelly offense. Getting used to always getting back on the ball. Running from stations or running from period to period has just been a cool transition,” Matavao said.

Plus, there’s a hidden benefit to it, too.

“And it’s been getting me in shape,” Matavao said.

Matavao guaranteed Moore will be ‘the next big thing’ in college football

In fact, according to Matavao, Moore is going to be the next big thing in all of college football, not just at UCLA.

“Unreal. I’ve had a lot of quarterbacks throw to me and he’s gonna be the next big thing coming out of college,” Matavao said. “Guarantee it.”

Kelly agrees with Matavao about Moore’s potential.

“Yeah, I mean I think one thing about the quarterback play is it doesn’t matter what year you’re in, I think you have to be a really quick decision maker, and you have to have repetitive accuracy, he has both. That’s something that’s stood out since the beginning. He may not be able to articulate everything that’s gone on in the play call, you know, he’s still getting that part down, it’s new terminology for him,” Kelly said.