With only a few days left before UCLA Football starts Spring Practice, we get into our final depth chart on the offensive side of the ball as we project the UCLA Offensive Line. If you have not already, check out our projections for the quarterback, running back and receivers.
Simply, UCLA is stacked. Though we will have more in-depth coverage of the O-line in the next few days, just taking a look at the above depth chart shows that UCLA has talent, power, skill, depth and most of all EXPERIENCE!
At the end of the Rick Neuheisel era and at the beginning of the Jim Mora era, the offensive line was very thin and very young. That has changed dramatically in four years.
Sep 25, 2014; Tempe, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive lineman Jake Brendel (54) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Anchored by soon-to-be fourth year senior center Jake Brendel, the UCLA offensive line will be in the best shape it has been in years. The Bruins will also have the help of senior Simon Goines (hopefully fully recovered from ankle surgery last August) and will be-juniors Alex Redmond, Caleb Benenoch and Conor McDermott as a potential starting line up. But it gets even better.
UCLA essential has, to steal a phrase from Kentucky basketball, a second platoon that can step up when needed. Mora had made sure to recruit a lot of quality linemen when he got to Westwood and nearly four years later, we are seeing that his efforts are paying off.
UCLA Bruins
Kenny Lacy, Scott Quessenberry, Najee Toran and Poasi Moala have all had playing time and know what is expected of them with this offense. They are also getting a solid junior college transfer in Zach Bateman.
Like freshman QB Josh Rosen, Bateman committed early and was able to enroll at UCLA in January, which means not only participation in Spring Practice, but an entire summer to learn the offense prepare for the fall.
Beyond that, the Bruins have several other guys that not only have experience but will add to the depth UCLA football so desperately needed before the Mora era. The Bruins also had five offensive lineman commit on National Signing Day, unfortunately, we ail not see them until fall, yet that continues to show what Mora is doing to build a strong foundation for the future of the UCLA offensive line.