UCLA Football Spring Practice: A Look At The Deep Offensive Line

November 30, 2012; Stanford, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Jake Brendel (54) prepares to snap the ball at the line of scrimmage during the second quarter of the Pac-12 Championship game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest weaknesses for the UCLA Football team in the years before head coach Jim Mora was the offensive line. Whether it was injuries, poor development, poor schemes or poor recruiting, the Bruins were constantly infiltrated by opposing defenses year after year. Mora has changed that in a big way.

This fall will be the start of Mora’s third year and already, he has made a wall out of the UCLA front line. Great recruiting and solid development are two of the things Mora has stressed. A lot of that has to do with the excellent job strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi has done for these players. Not only are the Bruins deep, but as gridiron nomenclature dictates, they are also “yoked”.

There is also that little thing called experience that UCLA gets to utilize this fall. Center Jake Brendel will play his third year anchoring the line. Malcolm Bunche is a graduate transfer from Miami who already has three years under his belt. There are also true sophomores Caleb Benenoch and Alex Redmond who got thrown into the nix last year due to injuries, so they are already familiar with many of the Bruin’s schemes. And even though he is injured, Simon Goines will bring some much needed knowledge to the line when he returns.

Here is the point, people: UCLA is going to be a solid wall next season, allowing Brett Hundley to do his magic, which we all want to see.

The Bruin coaches are continually “experimenting”, but here is a look at what the the O-line chart roughly looks like.

Injured-Simon Goines, Ben Wysocki

That looks pretty, does it not? If UCLA and Hundley are looking to have a breakout season this year, this is where it starts.

One of the biggest surprises on the line was the recent move of Benenoch from the right side of the line to Left Tackle. That precious “blindside” position is now in the hands of a true sophomore. Truly large, that is.

The 6’5″, 315 lbs. footballer will be matched up with the 6’7″ 327 lbs. Bunche on the left side. These are not only two of the biggest linemen UCLA has had in a while, but they also very athletic.

On the right side, freshman NaJee Toran has impressed the coaches and has gotten some time in with the first team. Poasi Moala has been outstanding, but will continually battle Kenny Lacy for the starting spot.

And right in the middle, as he has been for the last two seasons, Brendel will be holding down the line. Experience, talent and size. Is it August yet?

With the Bruins looking good at this point in Spring Practice, it is a positive indication that they will be a impregnable come fall. What that translates to is more time for Hundley to work in the backfield, Not only will he be able to make the best judgements regarding his receivers, but it will allow him time to run around behind a wall of large football players. And imagine all the holes opening up for the Bruin running backs. If last year was “running back by committee” this year is certainly to be “Committee of Destruction.” But we will get into the running backs soon enough.

Mike W.R.

Twitter: @TheBigDisco