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UCLA Football Fall Camp 2018: 5 things to look for this fall

By Mike Regalado

WESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Chip Kelly speaks to the media during a press conference after being introduced as the new UCLA 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 the new UCLA Football head coach on November 27, 2017 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 9: Wilton Speight #3 of the Michigan Wolverines drops back to pass during the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Michigan Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 9: Wilton Speight #3 of the Michigan Wolverines drops back to pass during the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Michigan Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

2. The Quarterback Battle Royale

The selection of the starting quarterback will quite possibly be the biggest story of fall. UCLA will have five quarterbacks vying for the starting spot in Kelly’s run-based up-tempo offense.

Michigan transfer Wilton Speight, freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the returning Bruins Devon Modster, Matt Lynch, and Austin Burton are all going to be battling it out in the four weeks leading up to the 2018 season.

During Pac-12 Media Day, Kelly said that the QB competition is wide open and that he is going to pick the quarterback that has the best command of the offense and that can best move the ball down the field.

Not one of the returning quarterbacks stood out during spring, but that might’ve been expected as they were all getting used to a new style of offense. But things are going to be knocked up a notch with the addition of Speight and Thompson-Robinson. Either way, it’s going to be one intense competition as all five players will be battling it out against each other.

Kelly has been known for having a very fast up-tempo offense, one that he made famous at Oregon. If he is trying to emulate that at UCLA, the starting QB is going to have to have a complete understanding of the nuances of Kelly’s offense. That goes with reading the defense, making the best decision with the zone read and identifying multiple options in the passing game.

This, my friends, is going to make one intense completion. Unfortunately, we might not be able to see it as practices for fall camp will be closed to the public and the media.