Former Miami Lineman Malcolm Bunche Will Transfer To UCLA

Dec 31, 2013; El Paso, TX, USA; UCLA head football coach Jim Mora is congratulated by players moments before the Bruins defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 42-12 at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

The UCLA Bruin Football team got a big surprise on Sunday night when they got a “commitment” of sorts from offensive lineman, Malcolm Bunche. The former University of Miami offensive tackle told the UCLA he is going to being playing his final season of eligibility in Blue and Gold. Bunche is also a large specimen at 6’7”, 327 lbs. and should have an immediate impact for the Bruins.

Because Bunche is a graduate transfer, he will be immediately eligible to play for the Bruins in 2014.

Miami transfer offensive lineman Malcolm Bunche has committed to #UCLA, a source tells me. Will be eligible right away at UCLA.
— Edward Lewis (@Edward__Lewis) January 20, 2014

This is very good news for several reasons:

1) Bunche injects the Bruin O-line with some immediate experience. In his sophomore season at Miami, he started all 12 games at left tackle. Last season as a junior, he started in one game while playing in eleven. His enrollment while help fill the void left by NFL draft-bound Xavier Su’a-Filo, who also played on the left side.

2) This thickens up the depth chart quite considerably. Last season we saw several True Freshmen step up to help patch a bruised and battered O-line. Even though these soon-to-be True Sophomores will already have the experience of holding down an O-line, it is always good to have added support to take the weight off of other guys.

3) Nobody is going to be able to mess with UCLA’s offense. The offensive line took major strides last season despite having several injuries. Next season, the Bruins are going to get several of those players back for a thick, brooding line that will challenge every D-line they face.

A UCLA OL of Benenoch-Goines-Brendel-White-Bunche would be LETHAL. And that's with Redmond/Lacy/Quessenberry as relief.
— Go Joe Bruin (@GoJoeBruinUCLA) January 20, 2014

Only having one year with UCLA is a concern the Bruin coaches have to address, but not a detriment. Bunche does not know the Bruin’s game plan, but will have plenty of time to remedy that. With him finding a school early enough to transfer to, he can get set up in Westwood and prep for Spring Ball. From there, it is summer workouts and then fall camp, which he should be acclimated to by then.

There is only one down side to this, it is so far from the start of football season.

Go Bruins.

Mike W.R.

Twitter: @TheBigDisco