UCLA's starting quarterback spot is 'everything' for Jerry Neuheisel

Published Apr. 16, 2015 4:16 p.m. ET

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Jerry Neuheisel is, somewhat, a forgotten man at UCLA.

It didn't seem that long ago (Sept. 13) that Neuheisel was being carried off of the field at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas after he came out of the bullpen and engineered a come-from-behind, 20-17, win over Texas. 

Neuheisel completed 23-of-30 passes for 178 yards, and two touchdowns, including the 33-yard game winner to Jordan Payton with three minutes left in regulation.

But in this era of "What have you done for me lately?", Neuheisel's moment in Bruin lore was, so, seven months ago.

The season has shifted and so has the talk about who will be the Bruins next starting quarterback with Brett Hundley's decision to enter the NFL Draft.

Neuheisel may not be the favorite but he wants it. Bad.

"I'd be lying to you if I said it wasn't everything to me," Neuheisel said.

As a result of engineering the comeback win over Texas, the redshirt junior is the most experienced of the bunch vying for the position. He's appeared in two games in each of the last two seasons, completing 37-of-52 passes for 318 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in his career in Westwood. That experience gave him a slight edge heading into spring practice but the gap could be closing.

In addition to Neuheisel, the candidates include redshirt juniors Jake Hall and Mike Fafaul, redshirt sophomore Asiantii Woulard and the favorite, true freshman Josh Rosen out of St. John Bosco.

Rosen is UCLA's quarterback of the future. The question is, will it be the near future? Or further down the line?

UCLA coach Jim Mora has said he doesn't envision a starter being named at the conclusion of spring, meaning the competition last into fall camp.

Neuheisel, meanwhile, is focused on getting better.

"Every year you're trying to make sure you're the best quarterback you can be," he said. "Spring is spring. It's time to, kind of, go back to the driving range, so to say, and work on each different club you have in the bag and make sure you're ready to go by fall camp."

Following the comeback win at Texas last season, Neuheisel got a special phone call. It was from his dad, former UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel, who was back in California doing television analyst work. 

"He goes 'Now, what were you thinking on this pass right here?'" Neuheisel recalled. "So, I'm thinking I got to sit here and explain to him what I did well and all the mistakes I made and he goes 'I'm just messing with you. Great game, buddy.'"

Neuheisel was the lone star in Texas that night. While others may have looked beyond that moment, he hasn't forgotten. 

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