MidValleySports.Com

The 2024 season ended, UCLA was 5-7 and suddenly the Bruins didn’t have a starting quarterback. Ethan Garbers graduated and took his 2,727 yards and 16 touchdowns with him. Former Inglewood star Justyn Martin, a sophomore who was the heir apparent, said no thank you and transferred to Maryland.

So where did the Bruins turn? The transfer portal of course. Enter Joey Aguilar. Aguilar, a senior who hails from Appalachian State, yes the same Appalachian State that beat Michigan once upon a time, threw for over 6,000 yards in two years for the Mountaineers competing in the Sun Belt Conference.

Aguilar also tossed 56 touchdown passes as the number one quarterback and completed 60 percent of his passes. For the Bruins it was like hitting the jackpot. To get a senior that has had multiple years of experience and has had two years that are comparable to Garbers, if not better, is more than they could have asked for. Barring some unforeseen circumstances or a minor miracle, Aguilar is the guy.

Demaricus Davis is sophomore who didn’t see any action last year. He is also a transfer who originally committed to Washington but left after spring practice and landed in Westwood. Davis, probably or hopefully for UCLA, won’t see much action this year either as long as Aguilar works out and says healthy. He looks to be the backup.

Did you know that former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselback has a son who also plays quarterback? Well he does and he also wears the UCLA powder blue. He also was on the sideline last year carrying a clipboard. He has the DNA and is a former Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year. He has promise but will need some reps. The UCLA braintrust won’t know what they have until they see him in live action. For right now he’s QB3.

Those are the projected big three but the Bruins have three others waiting in the wings. Redshirt sophomore Luke Duncan, and freshmen Robert McDaniel and Colton Gumino may all have their shot one day.