UCLA Football: An Open Letter To Bruin Quarterback Brett Hundley
By Derek Hart
Nov 30, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) eludes Southern California Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) to score on a 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dear Brett Hundley,
I’m sure that I speak for the whole of Bruin Nation when I say that for the past two seasons, you have performed brilliantly as UCLA’s starting quarterback, setting records and winning games with your legs as well as your arm.
Personally speaking, I don’t know if you were truly the “Savior”, as many Bruin fans called you when you first arrived on campus.
I always thought that was an unfair label to put on an 18-year old kid.
Plus as every knowledgeable football fan knows, it takes a whole team, plus an excellent coach, to turn the fortunes of a college program around, which UCLA is well on the way to doing thanks not only to you, but also to folks like coach Jim Mora and your teammates, particularly Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks, Myles Jack, and countless others.
Along with everything else, you have shown to be an outstanding young man; I read the article in the Los Angeles Times featuring you and how you care so much for your epileptic sister and how much she inspires you.
The reason I am writing this letter is because of the possibility that as a third-year player, you may forgo your last two years of eligibility and enter the NFL draft next April.
I know full well that most NFL draft pundits love your potential and have you pegged as a first round pick.
I also know that according to the Times, you would like to start a foundation geared toward combating epilepsy, which you would be able to do upon entering the league.
However…
Everyone has said that you are not yet ready for the pros due to issues with your decision making at times, as well as some inconsistencies with your technique; the tapes from the Oregon and especially the Stanford games shows those deficiencies.
In fact, that Oregon defense that held you to just 64 yards passing and intercepted you twice, as did Stanford? You’d be seeing a defense like that every week in the NFL.
Indeed, you threw twice as many picks (four) as touchdown passes (two) in that two-game stretch.
You showed a lot of heart in coming back to account for 13 touchdowns – five on the ground – in the season’s final five games, including two against our hated rival USC, who you and your Bruin teammates beat for the second year in a row and the first time in the Coliseum in 16 years.
But that, unfortunately, does not mean that you will be ready for the NFL, neither will a great performance in your upcoming Sun Bowl game against Virginia Tech.
By returning for your junior season, not only would you be a strong candidate for the Heisman Trophy, not only would you be helping to continue the progress that UCLA has been making…
The Bruins would be considered strong favorites for the Pac-12 title and contenders for the four-team College Football Playoff.
Nov 23, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) before the Bruins game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
And most of all, your stock in the NFL draft could well go from merely a first round pick to a top-ten, maybe a top-five pick, which would mean more money for you, your family, and that foundation that you want to start.
I freely admit that as a loyal, longtime member of Bruin Nation, this is a biased and – yes, I’ll say it – selfish opinion as I don’t want to see you leave. Not yet.
But I stand by this statement: another year in Westwood would be beneficial for you and the Bruins.
Plus on a personal note, I’d rather leave school with a degree in hand than have to return to school years later.
You have one more year to go. Why not go ahead and get your degree?
If you do decide to leave, I and the rest of the UCLA fan base will certainly be disappointed, but will understand and move on.
But it will definitely be a belated Christmas present if you announce at the end of the Sun Bowl that you are returning in 2014.
I know I’m just a lowly Bruin fan, but please consider what I’m saying here as you make your decision on your future.
Here’s a special eight-clap for you:
U…C…L…A…U C L A! ONE MORE YEAR!
Sincerely,
A UCLA alumnus and a passionate member of Bruin Nation.