UCLA lands former Washington QB and four-star recruit Dermaricus Davis out of the transfer portal

Former Washington quarterback Dermaricus Davis announced his transfer to UCLA on Monday after spending time in Westwood over the weekend.

First-year head coach DeShaun Foster and the new staff are landing key players this spring portal season with other recent additions coming from former UNLV offensive lineman Alan Makihele, former Louisville offensive lineman Reuben Unije, former Arizona State tight end Bryce Pierre and defensive lineman Cherif Seye.

Davis has the ability to come in and instantly push a veteran Bruins quarterback room led by Ethan Garbers and ultimately competing for the starting job next year. He has four years of eligibility intact.

A local product, Davis played high school football at Etiwanda (CA) where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 266 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

As a senior Davis completed 191-of-275 pass attempts (nearly 70 percent) for 2,618 yards with 25 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He finished as a Top-20 QB in the class and a Top-25 player out of the state of California. Davis was the lone quarterback commit for the Huskies in their class that finished No. 48 in On3’s 2024 Industry Team Rankings.

A look at what the Bruins are getting

In December, On3’s Director of Scouting Charles Power raved about Davis’ potential, as it’s evident he’s a believer in his abilities.

“Dermaricus Davis has one of the strongest mechanical foundations among 2024 quarterbacks,” Power wrote. “The 6-foot-4.5, 190-pounder is a smooth, natural passer. He has an effortless, tight throwing motion that points to a projectable upside as a passer.

“The throwing motion and ability to manipulate trajectory with a high release point remind us of CJ Stroud at the same stage. Make no mistake, Davis is still developing as a player, but the natural passing skill set and resulting upside make him an intriguing get for Washington.”

Why it’s a big pickup

UCLA lost quarterbacks Dante Moore and Collin Schlee this offseason. Ethan Garbers returns as the starter for the Bruins after throwing for 1,136 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023. Davis bolsters the needed depth giving Foster and his staff four scholarship signal-callers. Not only that, he’s someone that has the ability to eventually be the face of the program.

UCLA Director of Recruiting Stacey Ford and General Manager Butler Benton were key in helping Foster, quarterbacks coach Ted White and the staff land Davis.