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UCLA quarterbacks thriving on the field and in virtual reality

April 27, 2023

LOS ANGELES — The quarterback battle is continuing at UCLA football’s spring practices, both in real life and in virtual reality.

Ethan Garbers, a redshirt junior and contender for the starting position, has been equipped with a GoPro camera every practice that films his every repetition. Quarterbacks coach Ryan Gunderson said Garbers wears the camera because he gets a lot of repetitions, but it’s not an indication that he’ll be the starter.

“I’m watching (practice) from 50 feet back the whole field, 50 feet high or the end zone,” Gunderson said. “That’s not the view that they see it from. It’s a really, really good teaching tool to say, ‘Well, why didn’t you see this?’ ‘Well, Coach, that’s why I didn’t see it, I can’t.’”

The quarterbacks can wear an Oculus virtual reality headset and review the 360-degree footage as a training tool.

Although Gunderson didn’t give any hints Thursday morning as to who is ahead in the quarterback race, Garbers did have a productive day. He threw a touchdown pass to tight end Grant Norberg in a 7-on-7 drill and later during a live period orchestrated a three-play touchdown drive from the 20-yard line.

“Even last year when Dorian (Thompson-Robinson) was the guy, I was still treating it like it was my team, like I was going to be the starter,” Garbers said. “I think that’s, for every quarterback, that’s how you’ve got to treat every single day that you’re doing this and it’s important to have that mindset. You’re one snap away, one play away.”

Garbers played in six games last season and was 26 for 37 with two interceptions and two touchdowns.

Highly recruited freshman Dante Moore is on the opposite side of the spectrum in terms of college game experience, but his quick release and accuracy have drawn attention. He completed a 25-yard pass to Cam Brown during a live period Thursday morning.

“It’s really impressive,” Gunderson said. “Off the field, he’s always in that building with a smile on his face. He’s fun to be around. He’s been a joy so far. He’s a football junkie and he likes being around the team.”

Gunderson also said he liked Kent State transfer Colin Schlee’s big arm and powerful throws as well as senior Chase Griffin’s experience and leadership ability.

Emotions run high

There was some chippiness toward the end of Thursday morning’s practice in the final live period in what has otherwise been an even-keeled series of spring practices.

Defensive back Jaylin Davies was involved in a scrum after he nearly broke up a pass to Kyle Ford. Multiple players jumped in before the group was separated and the team switched to designated offensive and defensive drills on opposite sides of the practice facility.

Gunderson rooting for DTR

The NFL draft begins Thursday night with several former UCLA players eligible. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson could be a Day 3 pick, and Gunderson has his fingers crossed.

“I’m hoping that he goes to the best situation possible,” the Bruins quarterbacks coach said. “I think here we’ve prepared him and given him everything we can to get him to the best place.

“So hopefully he can hit the ground running, he can go in there and learn and really soak in more. But excited for whenever, whatever it is. I hope it’s the best situation possible.”

Other Bruins in the NFL draft mix include running back Zach Charbonnet, Antonio Mafi, Jake Bobo, Jon Gaines II and Kazmeir Allen.

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