Projecting The Depth Chart: 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

The UCLA football offensive line has not had solidarity in a long time. That trend changed when Head Coach Jim Mora was hired to oversee the Bruins two years ago. With development and recruiting, Mora has not only improved the O-line but made it a deep, tall, wide, fast, talented entity that will greatly improve the offense next season. Brett Hundley will have time to maneuver in the backfield, the running game will significantly better and there will be loads of time for the receivers to do what they need to do… needless to say, this is going to be a huge year for the big men down in the trenches.

Here is the GJB projected depth chart for the Bruin’s Offensive Line:

*incoming freshman, possible redshirt

Front Line Assemble

The Bruin 1st string is very big, very strong and may very well be the best O-Line in the Pac-12 Conference. The line will be anchored by third year center Jake Brendel who is on the Rimington Trophy watch list (top college center in the nation). Junior Simon Goines joins him as the Bruin with the most experience on the line. He was injured and sat out Spring Practice, but should be ready for fall camp.

Caleb Benenoch and Alex Redmond both played several games last season as true freshmen which gave them a lot of experience, next year they will be even more dangerous as sophomores. The big surprise the Bruins got in the off-season was that of graduate transfer Malcolm Bunche who is coming to the Bruins after three years of playing at the University of Miami. He is also 6’7″, 327 lbs.

The Back-Up Brigade

Connor McDermott, Scott Quessenberry, Carl Hulick, Ben Wysocki, Kevin McReynolds and Sam Tai all had playing time at one point or another during last season and did well enough to hold down their position. Quessenberry and Wysocki, in particular, played a lot toward the end of the season when injuries (and one ejection at the USC game) forced several back-up guys get some playing time. These guys may not have the skills as the 1st String, but they are not far behind, which is what makes this line so dangerous and deep. Colby Cyburt has yet to see time on the field.

The New Guys

Poasi Moala, Kenny Lacy, NaJee Toran, Kolton Miller and John Lopez are the freshmen on the team (true and redshirt). Moala, Lacy and Toran were particularly impressive in Spring and could find themselves helping out the line soon than later. Lopez was able to get some time with the 2nd stringers in Spring, but it is not clear how much he will play next season.

Miller is not in Westwood yet, but when he is, you will know as he might block out the sun. As a high school senior, Miller was 6’8″, 280 lbs. Though he could redshirt this coming season, he will definitely be big for the Bruins in the near future.

NEXT EPISODE: DEFENSIVE LINE

Mike W.R.

Twitter: @TheBigDisco