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UCLA Football: Survival of the Offense – Running Backs

By Michael Chavez

Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers during the first half of a NCAA football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers during the first half of a NCAA football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UCLA Football team has a stable of talented, athletic and capable running backs but not a single one took over as the leader of this group in 2016. The Bruins need to find a guy that can shoulder a heavier portion of the load if not find a workhorse if they are going to have a functioning offense in the Fall.

It isn’t that hard to think of a number of great UCLA Football running backs that have graced the Rose Bowl. Now try and think about who was rushing leader for the Bruins last year. If you said Soso Jamabo you’d be right but how many rushing yards did he have last year? 800? 700? 500? Wrong on all three accounts. He had 321. A 3.9 ypc average on 82 rushing attempts.

It goes without saying that’s not good.

The Bruins aren’t replacing any lost players to the NFL Draft or graduation nor did they sign any players at the position. They do however have a logjam of guys who could carry the load but either have had the opportunity to seize the job or have seemingly squandered their opportunities.

Related Story: The 30 Greatest UCLA Football Players of All-Time

Who’s Gone: FB Ainuu Taua (position change), FB Cameron Griffin (medical retirement)

Who’s New: No one

The Breakdown:

Jamabo has gotten the starting nod the past two years running but has only managed to rack up 724 yds on 148 carries which comes out to a respectable 4.9 yards per carry. Seems nice right? Box scores are not a scouting tool. I’ll say it again, don’t use box scores for talent evaluation.

Soso is an incredibly talented runner I will not dispute that. Check out his high school film and some of his high school highlights and it is clear the guy can move with the ball.

What you do see is a guy who’s a long strider and can gobble up yards with his gait. He showed quick feet and an ability to run through contact.

Those traits haven’t seemed to follow him to the college level. To be honest, his lackluster production isn’t all his fault. The UCLA offensive lines haven’t been the best during his time and don’t create many holes for him to run through. However his long legged, upright, slashing style of running haven’t suited the offense.

His upright running style is something that must be worked on and given he measures in around 6’3, he might be better suited to WR especially given his pass catching ability. I also worry when he seems to be constantly dinged up from either a long run or strong contact.

With UCLA incorporating more stretch runs into the offense I can see Jamabo bouncing back provided he is able to display the speed and ability to find the cut back lane that he showed in high school and has occasionally flashed. Yes I am also aware that the video posted with this article is from his freshman season however I think the video sums up my opinion on Soso well. That game was also one of his most impressive up to this point in his UCLA career.