College Quarterbacks Replacing 2018 NFL First Rounders
By Talon Graff
UCLA Bruins – Devon Modster RS Sophomore, Wilton Speight Grad Transfer, Dorian Thompson-Robinson Freshman
The Bruins enter 2018 with just as many question marks at quarterback as their crosstown conference rivals.
Chip Kelly returns to the college coaching ranks after taking over for fired Jim Mora. We all remember the Oregon offense under Kelly and the type of quarterback he covets.
Devon Modster is the only potential 2018 starter who spent 2017 with the team. Modster improved all year and he was awarded more and more playing time. When Josh Rosen chose to sit out the Cactus Bowl game, Modster played fairly well in a losing effort. He threw for 295 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and no interceptions.
He is a pocket passer first and foremost though, so how he will fit in the new head coach’s plans is up in the air.
Most of you should remember Wilton Speight, the former Michigan Wolverine who came to UCLA after graduation. His career in maize and blue is a checkered one, having only one full year under his belt. He spent most of 2017 on the injured list.
He was a third-team All-Big Ten selection after his junior but much like Modster, doesn’t seem to fit in with Kelly’s system.
Enter Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The incoming freshman who is one of the more highly touted dual-threat quarterbacks in the 2018 class.
Thompson-Robinson could emerge as the starter for UCLA on scheme fit alone. He comes to Los Angeles from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas where he ran a high octane vertical offense with a lot of success. Sound familiar?