There are a lot of expectations for incoming freshman quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, but that is only because he might be the perfect QB for UCLA football head coach Chip Kelly’s system.
The UCLA football team has a logjam at the quarterback position which will pit five players against each other during fall camp: Devon Modster, Matt Lynch, Austin Burton, Wilton Speight and, of course, Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
RELATED: 10 bold predictions for UCLA’s 2018 season
DTR, as Thompson-Robinson is also known as, is an explosive 4-star dual-threat quarterback out of Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, NV) that has been committed to the Bruins for over a year (since April 23, 2017). It was a big deal for former coach Jim Mora to land the no. 3 dual-threat QB in the nation and considering how former offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch turned the offense around, he looked like the perfect fit to take over in the post-Josh Rosen era.
Unfortunately, things have changed since he committed… possibly for the better. Mora was let go and Chip Kelly was hired to replace him. With that, the former Oregon coach is also bringing in his run-based spread attack, which seems to fit DTR’s style.
But can the freshman rise above the other four quarterbacks to get the start in 2018? That is still a question that is yet to be answered, especially by Kelly (and probably won’t be answered until right before the season starts), but for those that do not know what DTR possesses, let us take a look at what he can do and why he fits perfectly in Kelly’s offense.
A Golden Arm
Thompson-Robinson has a very interesting throwing motion. First off, let us acknowledge that he has a strong arm, but it is deceptive. DTR can essentially “fling” the ball in the direction of his target, barely pulling back for power. A special talent, but nothing compared to when he unloads passes with full power. If he is required to launch balls 30+ yards down field or to rocket a pass into a tight window for his receivers, he will deliver a perfectly-placed strike. Guaranteed.
He also has the ability to loft the ball over the heads of defenders and drop it right in the hands of his receivers. Those passes might be dangerous in some situations, but if anything, it proves how confident he is in his abilities.
He also has the strength to throw on the run. Though that is not a recommended option, when he does, he will make those passes and jaws will drop.
Put your #4sUp for the future face of CFB. @InTheBleachers says @DoriansTweets has it all. #GoBruins pic.twitter.com/vFzJmz1ke8
— FANS (@FNLiveCFB) August 28, 2017
Fancy Footwork
Kelly wants players that are fast and long and DTR is both, which is why his feet are just as important as his arm. Whether he is looking to run the ball himself or getting into space to make an optimal pass, this dual-threat’s speed is going to be trouble for a lot of defenses.
Thompson-Robinson’s movement in Kelly’s system is going to be key to his success and if DTR can quickly acclimate, then he should be a top contender for the starting spot.
The thing I noticed about DTR is that he is constantly moving his feet. Dropping back in the pocket, he tends to keep his feet churning until he finds his target. He will then dig his feet into the ground, gripping it tightly to set his foundation.
DTR also keeps his feet moving when he is on the run. For example, when trying to move around defenders, he will maintain his forward momentum as his feet move his body ever so slightly away from a defender to give him a better angle to cut while keeping his progression in tact and accumulating more yards.
He also uses his feet to get out of sticky situations. If he is trying to jump over a defender or escape from a shoe-string tackle, his feet will keep pumping, as of he is riding a bicycle, as he gets those extra yards. The fact that he is always on the go is a plus for this new offense. Thompson-Robinson’s movement in Kelly’s system is going to be key to his success and if DTR can quickly acclimate, then he should be a top contender for the starting spot.
Fitting Into The Run-Based Spread Offense
During the spring, we saw hints of what Kelly wants to do with his team. UCLA is going to run, run, run, but the coach is going to try and accomplish that in a variety of ways.
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
His offense will be similar to the one he ran at Oregon which utilized zone reads and run-pass options (RPO), but Kelly added a third element with the triple-option.
The triple-option did not show itself during the spring game, but there were several practices, especially after spring break, where the Bruins practiced triple-O fundamentals.
Kelly is looking to deceive defenses and will need his QBs to be in top form with not just their arms and legs, but also with their vision. An important element of Kelly’s offense is reading the defense and causing mismatches, so the starting QB is going to need to be aware of his surroundings.
As a dual-threat, defenses are going to need to be on their toes with DTR, but they are going to have to step up their efforts as the newest Bruin has the keen ability to quickly read the opposition. If the situation calls for a hand-off, he will direct it to where it needs to go. If he needs to pull it and fire off a quick slant, he can do that too. If nothing is open and he has space, then I feel sorry for those defenses that are too slow to catch him.
Next: The Top 10 Bruin Quarterbacks of All-Time
At least three of the other UCLA QBs have a leg up on DTR as they have spring practice under they belt. This means DTR is going to have to play catch up in a short amount of time this fall. Still, he is going to put on a show no matter when he plays and UCLA fans should be very excited.