Go Joe Bruin
Fansided

UCLA Football: How OT Sunny Odogwu fits into the Oline

By Michael Chavez

Sep 3, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Sunny Odogwu (66) sprays himself with water before the game against the Florida A&M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Sunny Odogwu (66) sprays himself with water before the game against the Florida A&M Rattlers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Today the UCLA Football team received a commitment from University of Miami transfer, Sunny Odogwu. The massive right tackle will be eligible to play right away and provides the Bruins with a much needed viable option at right tackle.

It is no secret that this UCLA Football team was in dire need of depth and competition along their offensive line. As it sits right now Kolton Miller is the left tackle with Andre James next to him at left guard. That part of the offensive line is solid.

However things get shaky as we move right. Scott Quessenberry still mans the center position but right guard is a major question mark with Najee Toran there. He’s undersized and hasn’t been coached up the way I had expected. Kenny Lacy at right tackle is also a major concern since he’s better suited to guard.

With Odogwu coming in, I expect him to win the right tackle spot and get Lacy back to his more natural position of guard. That one addition alone would make this offensive line so much better and here’s why.

Odogwu is a massive man standing at about six-foot-eight and weighing in almost 320 pounds. He can essentially wall off smaller defensive ends or outside linebackers. He also has great length and uses that length to keep speed rushers off of his QB.

More from Go Joe Bruin

In the passing game he has the foot speed and recognition to deal with pass rushers and get himself between them and his QB with ease. He also has more than enough strength to push guys beyond the pocket with one long arm stab. If a pass rusher tries to bull rush him they’re going to quickly find out how well he can anchor and stone that rusher.

That strength translates to the run game where he either walls his man off or will blow him off the line all together. That has to get UCLA Football fans really excited given what they saw from this UCLA offensive line last year.

Maybe the biggest plus Odogwu brings is his drive. As an immigrant from Nigeria he understands what a precious opportunity college football is. He also lets that fuel him when the going gets tough and doesn’t mind hard work. That kind of fuel and fire is contagious and it can really bring a group together to play some of their best football.

UCLA Football fans should allow maybe just a little bit more optimism to start to creep in with Odogwu’s pledge.