Madrid Bravos land former UCLA QB Ethan Garbers for 2026 ELF season

The Madrid Bravos have made a major offseason move, signing former UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers to lead their offense for the 2026 European League of Football season.

College career from coast to coast

Garbers began his collegiate career at the University of Washington in 2020, though he did not see game action during his freshman season with the Huskies. He transferred to UCLA, where he developed into a excellent signal-caller in the Pac-12. Over four seasons with the Bruins, Garbers appeared in 40 games, making 18 starts and recording nine wins. He completed 390 passes for 4,462 yards and 31 touchdowns against 18 interceptions, adding 294 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. His most notable performance came in a 2021 start against Utah, where he threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns.

A taste of the pros

After going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Garbers signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent. Although he was waived in July, his time in an NFL environment provided invaluable professional experience and preparation for the next phase of his career.

Bringing talent to Madrid

Standing 6’3″ and 210 pounds, the 23 year old Garbers brings a blend of size, arm talent, and competitive experience to the Bravos. Having operated in UCLA head coach Chip Kelly’s offensive system, he is well-versed in pro-style concepts and playing with tempo. His resilience and readiness to compete at a high level make him an ideal candidate to energize Madrid’s offense. For Garbers, the ELF represents a compelling opportunity to continue his football journey while bringing his leadership and skills to the growing European stage.