UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley heard from multiple sources that coach Jim Mora would not name a starting quarterback until Aug. 16.

Hundley had bad sources.

With QBs Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut also in attendance, along with offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone, Mora informed Hundley on Friday the job former coach Rick Neuheisel recruited him to take was still his despite the coaching change.

“I cried my eyes out today,” Hundley told CBSSports.com. “It was everything I’ve ever dreamed of.”

Prince and Brehaut have starting experience with the Bruins while Hundley spent all of last season as a redshirt.

But Mora saw something in him he couldn’t resist.

“All four quarterbacks have raised their level of play significantly since my staff and I took over, and we are excited about all of them,” Mora said in a release. “That said, Brett has consistently demonstrated the qualities we value in a starting quarterback and is an outstanding leader who commands the respect of his teammates.

“He has shown excellent decision-making skills and his accuracy and timing continue to improve with each practice. In addition, he has shown the mobility and creativity needed when a play breaks down.”

Hundley acknowledged he was a little nervous when Neuheisel was fired last season, taking the pistol offense with him. Hundley’s running abilities were more lauded at Chandler (Ariz.) High than his arm, although he demonstrated plenty of ability in the latter, too.

“There was a little hesitation as to what offense we would be in but when coach Mazzone came in and I knew we would be running the spread, I wasn’t worried any more,” Hundley said.

Mazzone was the OC at Arizona State last season and tutored current Denver Broncos QB Brock Osweiler. Mazzone lost his job when Dennis Erickson was fired last season in Tempe, but he likes his latest pupil.

“He’s hungry, he’s athletic and he’s smart,” Mazzone said. “I actually think he’s a pretty good fit for this offense. Whether he’s going to be a pocket passer or not, his ability to run is just icing on the cake. It just makes him a bigger threat.”

As for the pressure of guiding a transitioning program back to relevance in a market where USC is king, Hundley shrugged it off.

“I don’t really give it much thought,” he said. “I just want to make sure I stay humble and stay grounded, but my parents and my family, they’ll make sure of that.”

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