DeShaun Foster updates where UCLA backup quarterback plan stands

The UCLA Bruins had a very active offseason addressing the quarterback position. Head coach DeShaun Foster hit the Transfer Portal, initially bringing in Joey Aguilar before dipping in again to land Nico Iamaleava to be the Bruins’ next starting quarterback.

Now, with Fall Camp well underway, Foster is still looking at his quarterback room closely. In particular, there is a battle to become the backup at UCLA, which Foster recently addressed just weeks before the regular season kicks off.

“It’s progressing,” Foster said. “It’s still open. There’s four guys back there trying to put their best foot forward for that opportunity.”

After Iamaleava entered the program, Aguilar transferred out. A bit ironically, he went to Tennessee, meaning that there was effectively a quarterback trade between UCLA and the Volunteers. That left a total of seven quarterbacks listed on the roster. However, as Foster noted, there are four quarterbacks who are in more serious consideration to be the backup and offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri is rotating their reps.

“Tino’s mix and matching them,” Foster said. “And rotating them, just to find out who can play and who’s just being resilient. Taking advantage of their reps.”

Foster chose not to be specific about the four quarterbacks competing behind Iamaleava. That group appears to include Madden Iamaleava, Nico’s brother, who also transferred in after his brother. A four-star recruit in the Class of 2025, he started off at Arkansas but made the move to UCLA as a true freshman before games began.

Pierce Clarkson is another transfer to UCLA. He comes from Ole Miss and Louisville. He spent two seasons as a backup at Louisville before going to Ole Miss and quickly making the move out to Los Angeles. Luke Duncan, then, was on UCLA’s roster last season in a backup role. After that is Henry Hasselbeck, the son of NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. He’ll be in his second year at UCLA after taking a redshirt last season.

The UCLA roster also lists Colton Gumino and Karson Gordon at quarterback. However, neither seems to be in competition to be the backup in 2025.

DeSahun Foster has just a couple of weeks left to decide on a long-term solution at backup quarterback. The Bruins open on August 30th against the Utah Utes. By that time, the backup is going to be an injury away from getting thrown into game action.