DeShaun Foster expects backup quarterback to emerge soon at UCLA

Ethan Garbers is the unquestioned starting quarterback at UCLA. The redshirt senior is trying to build on a strong finish to the 2023 season, during which he threw 10 touchdowns and just one pick over his final 128 attempts while being named Offensive MVP of the Starco Brands LA Bowl. This offseason, he’s been learning the West Coast offense from new offensive coordinator, and longtime NFL assistant, Eric Bienemy.

While Garbers is leading the charge, there are seven other quarterbacks on the Bruins’ 2024 roster. Head coach DeShaun Foster has yet to name a backup. This week, quarterbacks coach Ted White called it an “open competition” for QB2, and Foster noted Wednesday “it’s pretty much a tie” at the moment.

That said, Foster expects one of his quarterbacks to seize the role soon.

“I would say that they all are doing something good,” Foster said. “So we just want to see who’s going to take the reins and really go. But we’re getting close to somebody making it clear that he’s the No. 2.”

When asked about redshirt sophomore Justyn Martin taking the majority of second-team reps during the open practice period on Saturday, White explained that, of the backup candidates, Martin is the one who’s been with the program the longest.

“He’s kind of accustomed to the offense,” White said.

But then White mentioned that BYU transfer and redshirt senior Nick Billoups, redshirt freshman Luke Duncan and true freshmen Henry Hasselbeck and Karson Gordon are also vying for QB2. After receiving a question about redshirt senior Chase Griffin, a scout team quarterback last year, White even said Griffin is another player in the mix for the backup spot.

UCLA added three true freshmen quarterbacks this offseason. Along with Hasselbeck and Gordon, the Bruins brought in Dermaricus Davis, who transferred in weeks after enrolling at Washington.

Foster has liked what he’s seen from his first-year signal callers so far, although he acknowledged that, at this point in the year, it’s difficult to simulate the action they’ll face in games.

“It’s tough. You can only do so much,” said Foster, who did say UCLA will have some sort of scrimmage in the Rose Bowl before the end of training camp. “I can’t tackle. So they can’t take hits. But you just try to push them to that limit as much as they can. They’re doing a good job.

“You want to see guys compete. They’re learning an offense, too, so you have to take that into consideration. But nobody’s complaining. They’re doing a good job, especially the freshmen. I’m excited, especially with the guys that didn’t come early in the spring. Like they just got here, and they’re able to function. The quarterback room, we have a lot of guys, but I’m excited. The future of it is bright.”