DeShaun Foster reveals multiple positions UCLA has up for grabs

Depth charts across the college football landscape are starting to take form as programs prepare for the start of the 2024 season. And things are no different for the UCLA Bruins and their first-year head coach, DeShaun Foster.

Recently, during a media availability, the Bruins head coach discussed what positions are currently being competed for at fall camp. And to a surprise to some of the reporters on hand, there are quite a few position battles taking place.

“Running back is one, quarterback, corner, linebacker, receiver, tight end, O-line, [and] right guard. So, it’s mostly every position,” said Foster.

When it comes to the Bruins quarterback battle, it appears as if last year’s starter Ethan Garbers has the inside track to being named the starter for a second year in a row. But at fall camp, he is facing nearly two handfuls worth of challengers, with one in particular giving him a run for his money.

“Justyn (Martin). You see that there are nine of them over there,” Foster said. “There’s a lot of them, but Justyn, (Nick) Billops; Mar-Mar (Justyn Martin) is coming into his own. It’s gradually, we’re gradually getting there. Ethan’s had a pretty good camp.”

Garbers split the starting quarterback responsibilities at UCLA last season, primarily with Dante Moore. However, with Moore transferring over the offseason and landing in Eugene, OR, with Big Ten rival, the Oregon Ducks, the senior signal caller sits atop the Bruins depth chart. Last season, Garbers played in 11 games, completing 98 of his 146 pass attempts for 1136 yards, 11 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. Martin is currently listed as QB2 on the Bruins unofficial depth chart.

Foster and company still have quite a bit to figure out before the Bruins’ season opener on August 31 on the road against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Still, that is not going to stop the first-year head coach from allowing battles at camp to sort out UCLA’s depth chart.