It didn’t take long for former UCLA Bruins quarterback Karson Gordon to find a new home after entering the transfer portal late last month. Gordon found a loophole to enter the transfer portal, jumping into the portal as a track and field athlete before committing to Austin Peay on Wednesday.
Gordon could become a trendsetter, using his two-sport abilities to enter the portal at a time where most other football players would not be able to. We’ll see if other two-sport stars follow Gordon’s lead in the coming years but now Gordon will likely have a chance to get on the field, something he hadn’t got an opportunity to do during his time in Westwood.
A torn ACL that Gordon suffered while competing in track and field didn’t help his chances to get on the field, but Gordon didn’t play a game for UCLA in two seasons with the Bruins. With Austin Peay in the FCS, Gordon has a chance to show what he’s capable of, and bounce-back to FBS with some collegiate games under his belt.
It’s yet to be announced if Gordon will be at quarterback or wide receiver with Austin Peay. Gordon was recruited to UCLA as a quarterback but in the Bruins’ most recent roster, they listed the 6’1” Gordon as a wide receiver.
Wherever Gordon ends up, his athleticism won’t be a worry for new head coach Jeff Faris, as Gordon won the national championship in triple jump with a try of 51 feet, 4 ¼ inches at Nike Outdoor Nationals back in high school.
The former three-star recruit didn’t have too memorable of a football career with the Bruins, but Gordon was able to find a wrinkle in the transfer portal rules, which could become a major focal point if other student-athletes follow Gordon’s lead with the late portal entry.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Former UCLA quarterback Karson Gordon lands with Austin Peay
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire | USA TODAY Network
