UCLA QB Dante Moore to enter the transfer portal

UCLA quarterback Dante Moore, a five-star prospect in the Class of 2023, is entering the transfer portal, a program source confirmed to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. Here is what you need to know:

• Moore, who played at Martin Luther King Senior High School in Detroit, was ranked No. 5 overall and the No. 3 QB in the 247Sports Composite.
• He originally committed to Oregon but flipped to UCLA just prior to the early signing period last December.
• Moore appeared in nine games and started five as a true freshman. He completed only 53.5 percent of his passes for 1,610 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

How did Moore perform this season?

Moore didn’t earn the starting job coming out of camp but displayed enough flashes in the season opener against Coastal Carolina that he became the starter against San Diego State the following week. Moore is really talented and was by far Chip Kelly’s biggest recruiting victory since he arrived at UCLA in late 2017. But once the Bruins started playing better opponents, Moore looked like a true freshman. He threw a pick six in three consecutive games — two of which were losses (Utah and Oregon State) — and was benched in the middle of the season.

Moore never started again as Ethan Garbers regained the starting role. Garbers suffered an injury in the season finale against Cal, and Moore was thrust into action but was immediately picked off in UCLA’s 33-7 loss. The Bruins’ passing game was subpar this season, and the offensive line regressed as well.  — Antonio Morales, USC beat writer

Moore was heavily recruited by both in-state schools before committing to Oregon and eventually signing with UCLA. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see both programs in the mix for Moore the second time around.

Michigan State has a clearer path to the starting job, with its top three quarterbacks all entering the transfer portal. DJ Uiagalelei, who played for new Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith at Oregon State, is in the portal, too. The Spartans will have options, but Moore should be at the top of their wish list.

As for Michigan, a lot depends on whether J.J. McCarthy enters the NFL Draft. McCarthy was projected as a first-round pick in Dane Brugler’s latest mock draft, but there’s no firm consensus on where he’ll land. Michigan also has a blue-chip quarterback prospect committed for 2024 in Jadyn Davis. The picture is crowded enough that Michigan State might be the more logical fit. — Austin Meek, Michigan beat writer

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