UCLA Football: The Importance of the Backup Quarterback

Unlike last season, the UCLA Football team will have not just one, but two backup quarterbacks in 2017 and hopefully avoid what happened in 2016.

When UCLA Football‘s sophomore quarterback Josh Rosen went down in the second half of Game 6 against Arizona State, Bruin fans would be unaware that it would be the last time he plays in the 2016 season.

They were also unaware that they would lose five of the next six games, not including their loss to ASU.

Josh Rosen had severely injured his shoulder and would require surgery. This caused him to miss the last six games of 2016 which the Bruins were unprepared. That was evident as they gave former walk-on Mike Fafaul control of the offense.

Fafaul had flashes of greatness, but they were far outnumbered by his missteps. He did not have a strong arm and was not the most accurate, but he knew the offense.

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Fafaul had averaged 200.3 yards per game and threw for 12 touchdowns in 8 games, but he also threw 11 interceptions and could not lead the Bruins’ in their final two games against USC and Cal as UCLA was collectively outscored, 72-24.

Things did not end well and it was apparent that the Bruin coaches were scrambling for answers.

UCLA had signed two good quarterbacks with a lot of potential in the previous recruiting class, so why were they on the sidelines rather than in the game?

There are many reasons, but the most glaring issue was the fact that there really was no backup plan if Rosen got hurt. And when he did, the coaches did not know if they should burn a freshman’s redshirt (fearing they were unprepared) or go all out with a player that knew the offense, but was not exactly capable to run the offense.

This is an issue that goes beyond not having a reliable backup QB. In recent years, the Bruins have not been successful in consistently landing top-notch quarterbacks. When they got Rosen, it appeared as if they let up on the reigns QB recruitment, simply because Rosen was going to be in charge for three years. That bit them in the behind last season.

Oct 8, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen (3) leaves the field with UCLA head team physician Dr. John DiFiori after suffering an injury in the second quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Fast forward to the week before spring practice in 2017. The Bruins are expected to have Rosen ready, but also have backups Devon Modster and Matt Lynch ready to go as well. Whether it was by coincidence or initiative, Rosen will have help, if need be. Both Modster and Lynch not only have a year under their belt, but they have the tools and mobility that Fafaul did not.

It is a blessing that the Bruins finally have depth at this position, but it does not take away from what happened last season, a lesson the Bruin coaches should learn from going forward, especially with a former QB coach and now Offensive Coordinator Jedd Fisch taking over. Though Fisch should have all three QBs ready for 2017, we still need to see how he does on the recruiting trail.

Next: UCLA Football: 5 Things to Watch in Spring Practice

Rosen will most likely be gone in 2018, giving Modster or Lynch the reins, but before that, UCLA has to bring in another top-tier QB or we will most likely see a repeat of 2016 in the near future.