UCLA Football Player Profile: Jordon James

The UCLA Bruins return their four leading rushers from the 2014 season, albeit two of them are QB Brett Hundley and LB Myles Jack, but Jordon James was third on the Bruins in rushing and if it wasn’t for an injury would have led the team in rushing. James suffered an injury in the fourth game of the season against Utah, but before that he rushed for 100 yards in each of the first three games of the season. He was able to come back and play in the final four games of the season, but in a lesser role than the start of the season. All in all, James rushed for 534 yards last season (5.3 yards per carry) and 5 touchdowns.

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In 2014, James will look to step back into the starting role for the Bruins and lead a very potent rushing attack. Between James, Paul Perkins, last years leading rusher from the running back position, and Steve Manfro, the Bruins return 1,214 yards on the ground and have the potential to crush that total this season. James may be the starting running back, but the depth at the position will be a strong point for this loaded UCLA offense.

UCLA averaged nearly 200 yards on the ground per game last season, 196.6 to be exact, and with a healthy James this season should pass that number. With James on the ground, and Perkins through the air, the Bruins should have a dynamic duo in the backfield in 2014. As for James statistics wise, I expect James to become only the second Bruin since 2006 to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, Johnathan Franklin did it twice in 2010 and 2012.Bruin fans should expect big things from this unit this year and they will only help the team in the chase for the national championship.