WESTWOOD—UCLA’s upcoming bowl game will indeed be Brett Hundley’s final as UCLA’s quarterback.
Billed as the savior of a UCLA team that had toiled in mediocrity since the glory days of Terry Donahue and Troy Aikman, Hundley took over the starting job in 2012, leading the Bruins to a combined record of 28-11 and setting school records for total offense and passing touchdowns.
Forgoing an opportunity to declare for the NFL Draft, Hundley returned to Westwood this season set upon winning his first PAC-12 title. Though unsuccessful, the 21-year-old still figures to be a top NFL prospect.
In an interview with Rich Eisen on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Mora essentially removed all doubt about Hundley’s return.
“I’m sure Brett will declare and go play at the next level,” Mora said. “I think he’s ready to do that. I mean, he’s done what he can do at UCLA, and, you know, he’s like all quarterbacks. You know, he’s an unfinished product right now, but that’s what everybody is going into the league, and I think he’s going to be a really fine NFL quarterback.”
Hundley figures to be the third best quarterback in this year’s draft, with last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and Oregon Heisman candidate Marcus Mariota generally viewed as superior to the Bruins’ quarterback.
Hundley has already earned his degree from UCLA, another compelling piece of evidence suggesting he will try his luck in the NFL.
“The world is ahead of him. His career is going to be fantastic because he’s going to work at it. I don’t know who he compares to, you know. I … see a little Philip Rivers in him, I see some Matt Ryan in him, but I don’t know. I see some [Colin] Kaepernick in the way he runs, but you know he’s a guy who can make every single throw on the field and he’s got the ability to run. So, I’m excited to see what happens in his career,” said Mora.
By Joseph Wilhelm
