Bravos sign former UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers

The Madrid Bravos have added a new leader to their offense, announcing the signing of Ethan Garbers as their quarterback for the upcoming European League of Football season. The 23-year-old American brings experience from two major NCAA programs and a strong track record of development at the highest college level.

A standout High School career

Garbers grew up in Newport Beach, California, and attended Corona del Mar High School, where he quickly became one of the most productive quarterbacks in the state.

During his high school career, he completed 643 of 947 passes for 9,462 yards and 128 touchdowns, throwing only 15 interceptions. He also added 784 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities.

His impressive performances earned him a commitment to play college football at the University of Washington.

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From Washington to UCLA

Garbers spent his freshman year at Washington in 2020 but did not see game action and entered the NCAA transfer portal after the season. He transferred to UCLA, where he would continue his development and earn meaningful playing time.

He made his first career start in Week 10 of the 2021 season, throwing for 265 yards and two touchdowns against Utah. Over his UCLA career, Garbers appeared in 40 games, starting 18 of them and recording 9 wins as a starter.

At UCLA, he completed 390 passes for 4,462 yards and 31 touchdowns, while throwing 18 interceptions. On the ground, he contributed 294 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 143 attempts.

In 2023, Garbers won the starting quarterback job for UCLA’s season opener, competing under head coach Chip Kelly in a dynamic offensive system.

A brief NFL opportunity

After going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Garbers signed with the Carolina Panthers on May 8 as an undrafted free agent. His stint with the Panthers was short, as he was waived in July - but the experience provided valuable exposure to the professional level.

A new beginning in Madrid

With his signing, the Madrid Bravos gain a quarterback with strong fundamentals, valuable experience, and proven leadership. Garbers arrives in Europe highly motivated after competing in the Big Ten and briefly in the NFL environment, ready to take the next step in his career.

The Bravos will look to Garbers to guide their offense in 2026 - and with his background, the young quarterback has all the tools to become a major impact player in the European League of Football.