Jim Mora ‘hopeful’ Brett Hundley will stay at UCLA

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After UCLA’s win over USC on Nov. 30, head coach Jim Mora seized the moment. During a live postgame interview, he attempted to rope star quarterback Brett Hundley into committing to another year in college.

It didn’t work — Hundley demurred on his NFL draft decision — but a month later, Mora remained optimistic heading into a Sun Bowl matchup against Virginia Tech.

Asked today if he’s thought about the redshirt sophomore potentially playing his final game as a Bruin, the coach said: “I don’t think it will be. I’m very hopeful it won’t be.”

Earlier this week, Hundley said he had not yet received feedback from the NFL draft advisory board, and remains uncertain about his future.

Virginia Tech coordinator Bud Foster compared him to former Syracuse star and six-time Pro Bowler Donovan McNabb, but the consensus among draft analysts is that the 6-foot-3, 222-pound prospect should return to school.

“I just think he’s close, but he’s not there yet,” ESPN’s Todd McShay said earlier this month. “Another year with game experience with an offensive line that’ll be better, a running game that’s more consistent, I think it’ll really help to highlight what he does well. And I think he can improve in terms of his decision-making and consistency.”

However …