Go Joe Bruin
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UCLA Football: Five Bruins to watch in the 2017 NFL preseason

By Michael Chavez

PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Defensive back Fabian Moreau
PASADENA, CA - NOVEMBER 19: Defensive back Fabian Moreau /
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We don’t just look forward to seeing what current UCLA Football Bruins will do this year but it’s always great to check in with the former Bruins as well. Who are the ones you should keep your eye on? Go Joe Bruin tells you.

There are a number of former UCLA Football players in the NFL and every year a fresh batch are brought in to join them. While I always have a great time following up with every Bruin that has recently gone pro, there are a special few I think we should all have our eye on as training camp approaches.

Of course there are plenty of rookies to keep an eye on but there are a few veterans that are in new landing spots, are coming to the end of their rookie contracts or now have more favorable depth chart situations.

Let’s dive right in.

Honorable Mentions

DE Takkarist McKinley was the first round selection of the Atlanta Falcons but has spent this off-season recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. The Falcons have hope that he’ll be completely back by week three of the preseason but plan to ease him into playing time.

While his health will be interesting to monitor and watching him will be fun, he doesn’t make our list.

Another guy who falls just short of the list is CB Fabian Moreau. It seems like off-surgery was one guy away from being a trendy thing for the Bruins this year. Moreau had surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle suffered at the UCLA Football pro-day. His draft slot suffered because of it and he was selected in the second round by the Washington Redskins. On paper it’s a great fit with Washington needing an upgrade at corner opposite Josh Norman.

The issue is Moreau hasn’t had any opportunities to get some reps under his belt with his new team. He will have a medical re-check before camp kicks off next week.

I’m excited to see how both develop and how they play as rookies. Still both of their injuries have me a little wary of just how much we will see of either of them as they work their way back into football shape.