Countdown to 2023 Season Start: UCLA Bruins Await QB1 Announcement

We’re just a mere 8 days away from the kickoff of the 2023 season, and the excitement among Bruin fans is reaching a fever pitch. The team is gearing up for their last season as members of the Pac-12 Conference, making this season even more significant.

Despite the imminent start of the season, there’s one crucial detail that Coach Chip Kelly is keeping under wraps: the identity of the QB1. While it might seem unusual for a team with so much at stake, Kelly’s approach is intentional and part of his strategy. In a conversation with Bruins insider Gavin Carlson, Kelly explained his rationale.

As Kelly revealed, he has opted to hold off on announcing the starting quarterback until the following week. This method echoes his tactics from 2018, his inaugural season leading the UCLA team. Back then, Kelly’s decision led him to choose graduate transfer Wilton Speight for the opening game. However, circumstances shifted as true freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson stepped in due to Speight’s injury, ultimately rewriting the team’s trajectory.

Now, with the start of the 2023 season on the horizon, the question arises: Will Kelly lean towards another true freshman success story, or will he opt for the experience of junior transfer Ethan Garbers?

Although Kelly and his coaching staff likely have a preferred candidate in mind, the deliberate delay in making the announcement is a testament to Kelly’s penchant for generating speculation. This strategic move ensures that fans and analysts alike will remain in suspense for an additional week.

Whoever ultimately takes on the role of QB1, they will be stepping into the spotlight with a significant weight on their shoulders. The 2023 season promises to be a must-see event, with the chosen quarterback facing the challenge of proving their mettle and leading the team to victory.

In less than two weeks, the mystery will be unveiled, and the chosen quarterback will have the opportunity to rise to the occasion and showcase their abilities. Until then, Bruin fans and football enthusiasts alike will eagerly await the forthcoming revelation that will set the tone for an exciting season ahead.