From low-key freshman to one of the top leaders at UCLA, the sophomore tries to solidify his bid for the starting quarterback spot.
LOS ANGELES — Dorian Thompson-Robinson is now QB1 on the roster. The rising sophomore is hoping to lock up the top rung on the depth chart too.
Thompson-Robinson, who wore No. 7 as a freshman, changed to No. 1 this spring. It was fortuitous that the offense’s former No. 1 jersey-wearer, running back Soso Jamabo, had graduated, but the transition seems perfectly timed for the quarterback’s rise into the spotlight during the second year under Chip Kelly.
As the only quarterback on the roster with game experience, Thompson-Robinson is likely the frontrunner for the starting position. He takes reps with the No. 1 offense in practice, but coaches stressed it’s still an open competition between redshirt sophomore Austin Burton, freshman Chase Griffin and walk-on redshirt freshman Josiah Norwood.
Thompson-Robinson is not relaxing.
“I still have that look-over-my-shoulder factor on me,” Thompson-Robinson said Saturday after UCLA’s third spring practice, “but I mean in the end, I know I’m taking the first-team reps, I got to get comfortable with my guys.”
Redshirt junior Michael Alves, the team’s most experienced offensive lineman, said if Thompson-Robinson hasn’t grown into the main leader of the team, he’s “one of the top three leaders.”
As a freshman, Thompson-Robinson said he kept to himself. He was worried to cross a line with his new teammates as one of the newest players on the team. When he had free time and wanted to throw – it’s his favorite down-time activity – Thompson-Robinson said he called receivers and running backs to the intramural field instead of Spaulding Field at Wasserman Center.
