UCLA will rely on multiple newcomers to drive offense

UCLA is making big transitions offensively this offseason, moving on from long-tenured quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a spate of other established playmakers like Jake Bobo and Zach Charbonnet. For Chip Kelly and Co. to churn out yet another explosive offense, UCLA will be reliant on a number of new faces.

The good news is that the Bruins have plenty of fresh talent rolling in to Westwood, from five-star freshman quarterback Dante Moore on down. On3’s J.D. PicKell dove into the transition season coming up for UCLA in 2023, naming them one of his “tightrope” teams walking a narrow path to success.

“Chip Kelly, what is he known for? Explosive offense after explosive offense after explosive offense. Well the unfortunate reality is you lose a lot of those guys to the NFL. The good news is, you went in to the portal and got some dudes for you,” PicKell said.

One addition being overshadowed by uncertainty at quarterback is the addition of former Ball State running back Carson Steele via the transfer portal.

In two seasons at Ball State, Steele played in 25 games and rushed for more than 2400 yards. In 2022, he averaged 5.4 yards per carry while rushing for 1556 yards on more than 20 carries a game. He also caught 29 passes for 166 yards and scored 15 total touchdowns last year.

Steele has a chance to establish himself as a bell-cow back for the Bruins while one of Collin Schlee or Moore seize the starting quarterback job.

Schlee transferred to UCLA this offseason from Kent State, where he had been the starting quarterback. Schlee completed 59% of his passes in 2022 for 2109 yards and 13 touchdowns to five interceptions. He has wealth of college playing experience at quarterback, something UCLA’s other potential quarterback does not.

Moore, an early-enrollee in the Class of 2023, was one of the top high school prospects in the country in the most recent cycle, regardless of position. He had originally committed to Oregon but flipped to UCLA when then-Ducks offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham took the Arizona State head coaching job. Moore was ranked as five-star-plus according to the On3 Industry Ranking and has all the requisite talent and ability to play right away.

But PicKell cautioned that a freshman is still a freshman, no matter the recruiting rankings.

“But the whole hope behind UCLA is that that offense is going to score points how they’ve scored points under Chip Kelly,” PicKell said. “DTR is gone but you feel OK about who you have stepping in at quarterback. Quarterback friendly offense, offense goes through the quarterback. But even so, you’re putting a lot of your hope on a transfer quarterback, transferring now to the Power 5, is Collin Schlee. Or a true freshman. Talented true freshman who I think is the future in Westwood. But still, he’s a true freshman. Hasn’t played a down of college football yet. UCLA could make some noise in the Pac 12. The Pac 12 is going to be brutal this year. I also think it’s pretty wide open.”

PicKell does have concerns with the UCLA defense, a unit that allowed 31 points per game in 2022, but he’s willing to place a tentative bet on Kelly and Co. getting the offense right with the new core of players.

“Keep an eye on UCLA, they’re fascinating to me. They allowed 31 points per game last year defensively. I don’t love that, don’t feel great about that,” PicKell said. “But even so, with the nature of the Pac 12, I’m not counting out Chip Kelly and I’m not counting out what Dante Moore could be.”