UCLA Football: Why 2024 Quarterback Karson Gordon Committed to UCLA
UCLA hasn't been having a great 2024 recruiting cycle. According to 247 Sports, their 2024 recruiting class currently ranks 57th in the country. Fortunately for the Bruins, Quarterbacks Coach Ryan Gunderson and Director of Player Personnel Ethan Young just made up some ground by earning the commitment of Episcopal (Bellaire, TX) dual-threat quarterback Karson Gordon. The 6-1, 171-pound gunslinger is also a national champion in the triple jump track and field event. Gordon broke down his reasoning for committing to UCLA to On3's Hayes Fawcett:
"UCLA just has everything honestly. Big-time football, moving to the Big Ten next year, with top tier competition. Their track team is always very competitive in the national scene. Scheme wise it’s a pro-style offense that translates a lot to the League and that’s what I come from in HS so it’ll feel like second nature. They also use QB’s like me and have had success with dual threats, so it was a no-brainer to want to play under the super experienced Chip Kelly".
Gordon is rated a three-star recruit by all four major recruiting networks. He stands as the lone quarterback currently committed to UCLA. Current UCLA quarterback and true freshman Dante Moore came into UCLA as one of the best 2023 recruits in the country. The presence of Moore could be a deterrent for other quarterbacks in the following classes. However, Moore hasn't had a great freshman season. The commitment of Gordon may be representative of this fact.
Gordon also stated in the interview with On3 that it was the attention he received from quarterbacks coach Ryan Gunderson (who flew out to visit Gordon mid-season) and the connection he built with Chip Kelly during his on-campus visits as factors that came into play with his decision.
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