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UCLA Football: Austin Burton just knocked the QB battle up a notch

By Mike Regalado

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference after being introduced as UCLA's new Football Head Coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference after being introduced as UCLA's new Football Head Coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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With six quarterbacks battling for the one starting spot to lead the UCLA football team next season, backup signal caller Austin Burton made a statement in the Spring Game and will make this fall’s QB competition one of the most intriguing in the country.

Chip Kelly is the head of the UCLA football team and this fall we get to see the next phase of his genius, but it will be a little rocky starting out as the Bruins do not have a legitimate starter.

RELATED: UCLA Football Spring Game Recap

On Saturday, UCLA held their first Spring Game under Kelly which gave us a glimpse of what the future holds and there is a lot to digest, especially with the quarterback battle. This fall, six players will compete for the coveted role that will make Kelly’s system go.

Soon to be sophomore QB Austin Burton just made it very interesting.

During Spring, the Bruins had four QBs competing for the starting spot (there were five, but Nick Juels left the team): Burton, Devon Modster, Matt Lynch and Jackson Gibbs. This fall they bring in Michigan grad transfer Wilton Speight and freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

For the majority of spring, Modster took first team reps and made his case to be the #1 guy, but with just over four months until the season starts, Kelly has a lot of time to pick the starter, and after the Spring Game, Burton made the coach’s decision that much harder.

UCLA Spring Game Passing Stats

  • Austin Burton – 116 yards, 6/8, 1 TD
  • Devon Modster – 37 yards, 7/11, 0 TD, 1 INT
  • Matt Lynch – 35 yards, 3/11, 1 TD, 1 INT

Modster and Lynch had decent games, though slightly disappointing. Both, along with Jackson Gibbs, threw an interception and did not even get 40 yards out of the game.

Burton not only avoided to throw a pick, but gained over 100 yards, threw a touchdown pass and ran one in from five yards on a zone read keeper. Burton not only seemed to master the offense, but looked very conformable passing the ball, was able to spot the target defender in the zone read and was able to scramble when the pocket collapsed. It was not perfect, but he looked quite impressive.

Back in 2016, Burton chose UCLA over Boston College because he believed it to be a better fit. At the time, it did not seem like he would get much playing time, especially with Modster and Lynch on the roster. After the Spring Game, Burton just gave Kelly a reason to get the most playing time.

For his first season, Kelly simply needs the player that can best run his offense. If Burton keeps up this type of production, he could get the nod on September 1 when the Bruins open up the Chip Kelly era at the Rose Bowl against Cincinnati.

Next: The Top 10 UCLA QBs of All-Time

But let us not get ahead of ourselves just yet. We have a long way to before kickoff. Fall will really tell the tale of who can lead this team. Who knows, Speight could come in and take control, bringing some much needed game experience. DTR, who seems like the prototypical Kelly QB, could own the offense from Day 1. Even Modster and Lynch can re-emerge, but one thing is certain, Burton made this QB Battle Royale very interesting.