UCLA QB Dante Moore set to enter NCAA transfer portal

UCLA quarterback Dante Moore is set to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. The former five-star prospect lasted just one year with the Bruins.

Moore was in and out of the starting lineup throughout the 2023 season, splitting time with Ethan Garbers. Collin Schlee also received time as head coach Chip Kelly juggled the quarterback rotation and QB1 moniker.

Despite showing promise, Moore elected to take his talents elsewhere and will now weigh his options.

As a member of the Class of 2023, Moore was a five-star recruit out of Detroit (Mich.) Martin Luther King, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 2 quarterback in the class and the No. 3 overall prospect in the class.

Moore originally committed to Oregon before flipping to UCLA and playing for Kelly. Both schools, ironically, will move to the Big Ten in 2024, should he choose to go back to Eugene.

Being a Michigan man, the Wolverines were in on Moore as well, although the Detroit native elected to go out west.

Moore did not play in UCLA’s Week 9 win over Colorado and Kelly was asked about where the quarterback pecking order stood. Unfortunately for the program, those questions came deep into the season.

“We analyze everything during the week,” Kelly answered. “We don’t make anything rash after the game and say, ‘Hey, this is what tomorrow’s going to be like, or what Wednesday’s going to be like.’ Ben’s great at depth charts, and questions about depth charts during the week, but we won’t finalize anything until we get to game-day next week.

“We play at like midnight, so we’ve got all day Saturday to figure out who our quarterback is going to be.”

Moore’s had games where he looks as good as advertised and others where UCLA fans saw growing pains.

“I think that’s part of Dante’s makeup,” Kelly said in October. “I think he’s a very resilient young man. He’s mature beyond most kids of that age. He’s still an 18-year-old kid, 18-year-old young man.”

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.