UCLA Football: 5 things to watch during 2019 spring game

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PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 01: Dorian Thompson-Robinson #7 of the UCLA Bruins sets up in the pocket during a 26-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats at Rose Bowl on September 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

2. Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s progression

All the hype last season surrounded the crown jewel of Chip Kelly’s first recruiting class, Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

The former four-star recruit from Bishop Gorman, and former teammate of Tate Martell, was forced into action when Devon Modster decided to transfer in the offseason and Michigan transfer Wilton Speight was injured in the first month of the year.

Obviously, he would have loved to earn the starting job from Week 1, but he probably wasn’t prepared to take over with the assumption Modster would be back. He probably assumed he’d back Modster up for a year and then take over as a redshirt freshman, but he was thrown into the fire almost immediately.

Thompson-Robinson didn’t have a breakout season, by any means, finishing with 1,311 yards and seven touchdowns with four interceptions. He completed 58 percent of his passes and had an up-and-down year.

There’s talk of a quarterback battle, but can Thompson-Robinson put that to rest with a big spring game?

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