UCLA Football: Eric Yarber Talks About The Wide Receivers

UCLA football wide receiver coach Eric Yarber talks about the progress of the receivers and is looking for that key player to replace Jordan Payton.

With the UCLA Football offense changing, so are the individual units, which includes the receivers.

Last year, under former Offensive Coordinator Noel Mazzone, the Bruins used a spread offense which could utilize up to five receivers.

This season, new Offensive Coordinator

Kennedy Polamalu

is reeling that in a bit for a power-based offense. So what does that mean for the wide receivers? So far, according to Receiver Coach

Eric Yarber

, things are developing nicely but “are not a finished product”.

Video is courtesy of Bruin Report Online.

Yarber talked to the media after practice on Tuesday and gave a lowdown on a few of the more notable players and how they are progressing.

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Early enrollees Theo Howard and Demetric Felton have really impressed Yarber with their natural technique. Howard has especially blown the coach away with his speed.

Yarber had talked about Ishmael Adams and his transition from defensive back to receivers. Just as Head Coach Jim Mora had, Yarber was quick to praise Adams as he is adapting to the position, but also talked about his swagger and “athletic arrogance”.

Another player he talked about, is Kenny Walker and how he is improving his pass catching abilities. Walker is by far one of the quickest Bruins on the team yet does not have the hands that some of his teammates playing WR have. If Walker can improve on this and show consistency with receptions, then he will be a very dangerous weapon for the Bruins next season.

And now for the big question… who will replace Jordan Payton? The WR coach said that he is looking for that one player that he could depend on as much as Payton.

Last season, Payton had 78 receptions which was good for 26% of all passes completed. The graduating senior will definitely leave a void with the receivers, but Yarber seems confident he has several players that can help fill that void.

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Though Yarber might be looking for Payton’s replacement, he has an deep group of extremely talent pass catchers. Still, more than one player is going to have to catch up as the Bruins lose 3 receivers from last season due to graduation or leaving early for the NFL Draft.