Former UCLA QB Brett Hundley is a Dorian Thompson-Robinson fan

everything Brett Hundley wanted in University of California remains a possibility Dorian Thompson Robinson.

Pac Championship 12. Rose Bowl. Maybe something better.

“It’s great to see that, because I love UCSD to death,” Hundley said over the phone.

Hundley never reached those heights while leading his teams to two victories in the middle division and scoring 3-0 against these hateful rivals across town.

Once the double-threat quarterback left for the NFL in 2015, Bruins reversed that to irrelevant. They posted losing seasons in five of the next six years USC He regained supremacy in the inter-city rivalry.

It was painful to watch, even from afar. Hundley had to stop betting with his teammates about UCLA games because he always ended up wearing another team’s shirt after losses.

Now the Bruins are back to win, and Hundley’s name is in the news again. during UCLA’s victory over Utah Earlier this month, Thompson Robinson threw the 76th touchdown in his career, surpassing Hundley’s school record.

“All records are supposed to be broken, so it was just a fun opportunity to see him succeed and I’m so happy for him,” Hundley said.

Thompson Robinson said Monday that Hundley was the UCLA quarterback he saw closest to before he arrived on campus. In some ways, it was like seeing an older version of himself given Hundley’s ability to slice defenses with his throws and hit them with his legs.

“He’s the guy I’ve always thought of when it comes to playing quarterback at UCLA, and he’s definitely the guy I look up to and the guy I choose after,” said Thompson Robinson.

Text messages between Hundley and old college offensive coordinator, Noel Mazzone, reminded Hundley of where he took the Bruins as well as where the nationally ranked No. 9 Thompson-Robinson might go after winning their first six games.

Every time Hundley thinks of his successor, he sees similarities that go beyond being a double threat.

“First of all, it’s good to see another brother in the middle,” Hundley laughed, referring to the lack of black players in his position. “Secondly, being mobile, the way he can escape out of a pocket and run… in such similar ways as he can play with his legs and arm and throw the ball, just like, you know?

“I would say that’s one of the highlights that I’ve been very proud to bring to UCLA as a quarterback, but to see DTR able to bring the same kind of traits to UCLA and lead them to what he does now, there’s so much there’s an amount of similarity there.”

Having counted nine touchdowns–seven assists, two rushing–in his last two games, Thompson Robinson rose to the consideration of the Heisman Trophy alongside Ohio, USC’s CJ Stroud Caleb WilliamsHendon Hooker of Tennessee and Bryce Young of Alabama. He was named Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week for two consecutive weeks and had a five-minute interview on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”

More UCLA records may fall soon. Thompson-Robinson needs 402 fast yards to break John Sciarra’s school record for yards by quarterback (1,813) and 1,658 yards to break Cade McNown’s record of 10,708.

Thomson Robinson Hitch He may have already set an unofficial school record, given his memorable jumps against USC and Washington. Hundley, a talented athlete, remembers clearing two defenders in a similar fashion while also realizing the need to protect himself from injury.

One of the things Hundley likes about Thompson-Robinson is his improved decision-making and balance. The fifth-year student completes 74.8% of his passes for 9.3 yards per achievement with a 7.5-to-1 ratio of touchdown to interception, all of which are career highs.

Hundley said, “He looks a lot calmer, and I was just watching him, especially in the past two games, he was killing it, especially when he plays in the middle, it wasn’t too high and it wasn’t too low and it seems like in those moments that Things might get shaken up a bit to the point where it was very consistent.”

Hundley, who spent seven seasons in the NFL, earning time playing with the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals, said Thompson Robinson has what it takes to play at the highest level in football.

“It’s hard to guess or pick which midfielder will work, and it’s not just about the quarterback, it’s about what it’s about,” Hundley said, “so I think Dorian has the tools and I hope he’s put in the right place to succeed.”

Sure enough, in his final college season, Thompson Robinson led the Bruins to their best start since they won their first eight games in 2005.

Hundley, who has been training in Florida in hopes of getting another chance in the NFL, said he might be able to attend the UCLA vs USC game on November 19 at the Rose Bowl. This would be Hundley’s first competitive game since he starred in a 38-20 victory over the Trojans in 2014, the Bruins celebrated by sprinting into the student division.

“It’s going to be epic,” Hundley said of the recent showdown between the opponents. “If I’m not somewhere [with another team]I’m sure I’ll take part in that match.”

In the meantime, he will root with Thompson-Robinson and Bruins to beat No. 10 Oregon on Saturday. It would be another way for Hundley’s successor to build on a new legacy.

“It’s really great to see the show go back to where it was and I’m very happy with DTR,” Hundley said.