UCLA quarterback Dante Moore is expected to enter the transfer portal, according to 247sports reporter Matt Zenitz.
The highly touted five-star prospect from Detroit committed to coach Chip Kelly and the Bruins after flipping from his verbal commitment from Oregon just days before the early signing period began last December.
Moore was regarded as the highest-rated recruit at UCLA during Kelly’s tenure and the second highest-rated prospect in UCLA’s history behind former Redlands East Valley standout Jaelan Phillips. As a sophomore, Phillips medically retired and left UCLA, after Kelly’s first year, and finished his career at Miami before he was selected as a first-round pick by the Miami Dolphins.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Moore cited Kelly and his history of working with quarterbacks like Marcus Mariota and Michael Vick as reasons for wanting to be at UCLA.
Moore is likely to receive interest from several programs in search of a quarterback. He’ll be able to commit to another program when the transfer portal window opens Dec. 4.
“… I’d say the biggest things are going to a place where I can get developed and continue to love and have fun playing football and be around a place that loves college football and be around great athletes,” Moore told 247Sports.
The true freshman was in a quarterback rotation with redshirt juniors Ethan Garbers and Collin Schlee.
Moore’s teammates raved about his talent and confidence at the beginning of the season, but the first-year talent struggled as the season progressed and the Bruins entered Pac-12 play.
Moore started five of the nine games he played this season. He finished the season completing 114 of 213 passes for 1,610 yards and 11 touchdowns with nine interceptions.
Garbers started the regular-season finale against Cal but was injured in the first quarter. Moore was tasked to come in and take over the reins, throwing an interception on his first pass of the game, which ended in a 33-7 Bruins loss.
He also threw interceptions that were returned for touchdowns in back-to-back games against Utah and Washington State. After throwing a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter against Oregon State, he was benched in favor of Garbers and Schlee, who started one game, the rest of the season.
Moore opened up about his first season following the season finale.
“Something I stand on is that God gives his toughest battles to the strongest soldiers,” Moore said. “And I know as of right now I’m going through a storm and I know as of right now I’m going through a tough battle right now.”
Moore will join tight end Carsen Ryan and receivers Keegan Jones and Kam Brown, who’ve already announced on social media that they were entering the transfer portal.
There’s been uncertainty in recent weeks surrounding the UCLA football program and Kelly’s job status.
The Bruins lost three of their last four games, with the only victory against crosstown rival USC, a game in which Moore did not play.
UCLA may also look to explore the transfer portal to add depth to its quarterback room following Moore’s departure.