UCLA starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will return for the 2022 season, he announced Monday.
Thompson-Robinson is a three-year starter for the Bruins who will play his fifth season in the fall. He led the Pac-12 in passing efficiency (153.9) in 2021, passing for 2,409 yards with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. UCLA finished the season at 8-4 after being unable to play NC State in the Holiday Bowl because of COVID-19 issues.
Thompson-Robinson, 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, ranks in the top five in UCLA’s career lists for passing yards (7,541), completions (594), touchdown passes (61) and quarterback rushing yards (1,181). He has started 27 games over the past three seasons.
In December, UCLA landed a commitment from UCF quarterback transfer Dillon Gabriel, but Gabriel last week switched his pledge to Oklahoma. Sources said the likelihood of Thompson-Robinson returning to UCLA motivated Gabriel to look elsewhere. Sources said UCLA also had been a candidate to land Oklahoma quarterback transfer Caleb Williams, who is strongly considering rejoining coach Lincoln Riley at USC.