The UCLA Bruins are set to begin fall camp soon, and there are many questions surrounding the Bruins, especially the quarterback corps. That being said, there is no doubt that the QB1 to close out the season will be last year's QB1, Ethan Garbers. Garbers is coming off a strong 2023 season and is expected to lead the Bruins into the next chapter of their storied program.
While Garbers has the keys to the car, the rest of the quarterback position is still to be determined. According to David Woods of Bruin Report Online, there are several candidates worthy of being Garber's No. 2 spot. It will be a competition to watch.
Woods has redshirt sophomore Justin Martin in second place, with Chase Griffin a close second behind Martin.
“Secondly, the team doesn't have a clear No. 2 quarterback, so if Garbers gets injured at any point this year could be an interesting one,” Woods said.
“Justin Martin has played most of that role this spring, so we expect him to be the No. 2 hitter,” Woods continued. “Every spring that we've watched him, he's gotten better, but he's played very few games and still looks a little mechanical at times. He's a good big guy with good arm strength, but the game still moves a little quick for him at times and he's often a duck by the 10th or 15th pitch, especially when he has to roll out.”
As for Griffin, Woods described him as a QB2 of last resort.
“Chase Griffin remains a quarterback who can break glass when it counts,” Woods said. “He's pretty much the same player we've seen all this time. He's got a quick mind and while he doesn't have FBS-level arm strength, he has to make up for it with accuracy and timing. He showed a few years ago that he can play in a pinch, but ideally I'd like to see him as a scout-team quarterback, because his lack of arm strength limits who you can rely on as a coordinator.”
Martin is in his third season with the Bruins but has seen little playing time, not appearing in a game in 2022 and appearing in a game in 2023 but not attempting a pass and only gaining 11 yards on two rushing attempts.
Griffin has been at UCLA since 2019 but has only played in five games over the past two seasons. Things will heat up over the next few weeks and we'll soon see who comes out victorious.
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