UCLA Football: Random Preseason Instagram Post May Have Forecast Quarterback Battle

Ahead of your UCLA Bruins' 2023 run, we knew preseason All-American Laiatu Latu will be leading the Bruins' front four. Transfers J. Michael Sturdivant, Kam Brown, Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, and Kyle Ford looked likely be the top-four receivers heading into this season. The combo of T.J. Harden and Carson Steele were clearly set to lead the backfield with a physical nature.

Even now, with the Bruins at 5-2, we're still completely in the dark as to who will start at QB for the Bruins in Game 8. Chip Kelly is notorious for keeping things close to the vest. Any little nugget, hint, or morsel of news would be welcomed as it pertains to the competition between junior Ethan Garbers and hotshot freshman Dante Moore. Garbers began the season as the starter, but was outplayed by Moore early. Then, as Moore struggled, Garbers took over to help lead UCLA to a dominant 42-7 win over Stanford.

Now, with Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes looming Sunday, a cryptic preseason Instagram story from Garbers hinted at a legitimate battle for the starting spot before the first snap of the year against Coastal Carolina:

#UCLA QB Ethan Garbers posted this on his Instagram story two hours ago:

Garbers, of course, is in the middle of a QB battle with 5-star true freshman Dante Moore, Kent State transfer Collin Schlee, and others.

Read into this however you please...

(📸: @ ethangarbers on IG) pic.twitter.com/S1kHYpZoYw
— Gavin Carlson (@GavinCarlson_) August 28, 2023

Garbers took to Instagram and posted this picture with the caption "Coming soon," along with a pair of eyes. There are a million ways to read into such a picture. Did he know he was getting the starting nod? Or was he just excited that the season was right around the corner?

From everything I’m hearing, it’s essentially neck-and-neck between Ethan Garbers and Dante Moore. I expect both to play in all 3 non-conf games #UCLA
— Jason Fray (@jasonfrayLA) August 21, 2023

Garbers and Moore battled all camp long to be the starting signal-caller. Transfer Collin Schlee has, ironically enough, the most experience of the trio coming in from Kent State. However, he appears to have emerged as more of a gadget option on trick plays and Wildcat formations.

It's an interesting dilemma for Kelly. On one hand, Garbers has multiple years under his belt in this offense. The former four-star prospect left Washington after one year and came back home to Southern California. He knows the offense better than Moore does. Generally speaking, you look at Garbers as the safer option and the one who likely will make fewer mistakes with the football.

With that said, barring injury, I think you roll with Moore in Week 4 at Utah. A tall task to be sure, though his ceiling/the team’s upside for a special season is higher with Moore compared to Garbers. Think game manager versus a potentially elite talent #UCLA
— Jason Fray (@jasonfrayLA) August 21, 2023

On the other hand, Moore has superior talent from a physical standpoint. While he won't 'wow' you with Mahomesian arm strength, Moore is fantastic with both touch and anticipation. His feel on the deep ball is also something UCLA will surely want to utilize. It boasts the most talented WR room it's probably had in 20+ years.

Knowing this, surely you want to have a QB in there who can consistently push the ball downfield (thus taking advantage most notably of J. Michael Sturdivant's talents).

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