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Can UCLA Football Sustain the Loss of Their Seniors?

By Mike Regalado

Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Jayon Brown celebrates with linebacker Cameron Judge (4) after an interception in the second quarter against the USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Jayon Brown celebrates with linebacker Cameron Judge (4) after an interception in the second quarter against the USC Trojans at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aside from the fact that the UCLA Football team went 4-8 and ended 2016 without a bowl, things might get worse with the departure of several seniors (and one junior).

At this point, the UCLA Football team is in rebuilding mode, which now includes developing a handful of young players due to the fact that there are a several key upperclassmen leaving the program.

This is going to make 2017 very difficult for Head Coach Jim Mora if he expects to have a different result from 2016.

Unless he has a massive plan for developing his younger players or somehow brings in several top recruits on National Signing Day, it is going to be tough to “reload” this team.

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Ishmael Adams, Kenneth Walker, Nate Iese, Mike Fafaul, Conor McDermott, Eli Ankou, Takkarist McKinley, Eddie Vanderdoes, Jayon Brown, Isaako Savaiinaea, Cameron Griffin, Deon Hollins, Tahaan Goodman, Randall Goforth, Marcus Rios and Fabian Moreau are all leaving the program.

And those are just the players that have contributed on a regular basis.

This is the biggest departure of players in the Mora era and it could not come at a worse time. That is roughly ten starters from the offense and the defense that Bruins need to make up for.

Considering there are two potential first round picks (McKinley and Vanderdoes) and possibly a few other that could get selected to the NFL Draft, the Bruins are in a spot of trouble as they will be losing all of this talent.

UCLA has recruited well in the last few years, but this cycle it has been a little slow going. UCLA does have a few top prospects committed like 4-star TE Jimmy Jaggers, 4-star DT Greg Rogers and 5-star DE Jaelan Phillips, but at this point in time, the UCLA Football team only has nine pliers committed.

Next: 5-star DE Jaelan Phillips to Enroll Eearly

The Bruins also have a lot of young talent that is ready to step up and take over several starting and backup positions, but will it be enough to start a revolution from this 4-8 season? We will know more when we get closer to Spring Practice.