With National Signing Day over, the UCLA Football team is now locked and loaded for 2016, and with that, Go Joe Bruin predicts a way-too-early post-signing day 2-deep depth chart.
Admit it, you cannot get enough football… well neither can we.
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The 2016 season may be seven and a half months away but like us, you want UCLA Football and you want it now! So to help quench your thirst, we give you a little taste of the future. Go Joe Bruin writer Michael Hanna and I came up with a way-too-early depth chart for the UCLA’s 2016 season.
We did not completely immerse ourselves in the roster but merely simplified it as we only went two-deep into these depth charts so that we get a general feel for what we might see in both Spring Practice and Fall Camp.
The Bruins return a lot of talent including starting quarterback Josh Rosen on offense, as well as nine starters on defense, but also add an entirely new crop of talented freshmen from their recent recruiting class, a few of which should see some time on the field in 2016.
Now remember, this is pure speculation on the part of Hanna and I. We are making predictions for the depth chart going into 2016 and have no inside information (though we wish we did).
But in reality, between now and September 3 when the UCLA Football team takes the field against the Texas A&M Aggies, these depth charts could look completely different from what the Bruin coaches present.
And if these charts are exactly the same, then that makes us look like geniuses. Enjoy!
Next: UCLA Football Offensive Depth Chart
The UCLA Football Offense
Quarterback: Josh Rosen, Devin Modster
There is no doubt that Rosen is the starter. The good news is that he has help this season with two potential back-ups. Modster could be the primary candidate for the #2 spot but will have to battle it out in Fall Camp with Matt Lynch.
Running Back: Nate Starks , Soso Jamabo/Bolu Olorunfunmi
It seems that the starting spot is Starks’ to lose. He was the main back-up to Paul Perkins last season though we did see a lot of then-true freshmen Jamabo and Olorunfunmi. Though it seems Jamabo could be the running back of the future, Olorunfunmi should not be counted out as a back-up. Either way, we will be hearing a lot from all three of these players in 2016.
Left Tackle: Conor McDermott, Poasi Moala
Left Guard: Kenny Lacy, Josh Wariboko
Center: Jake Raulerson, Najee Toran
Right Guard: Scott Quessenberry, Tavito Halalilo
Right Tackle: Kolton Miller, Andre James
After losing three starters from last season, the recuperation process for the offensive line was put into hyper drive since the start of 2016. Quessenberry returns from shoulder surgery, Raulerson comes in as a graduate transfer from Texas, Lacy is another starter returning and quite possibly the biggest news is that McDermott is coming back for his senior year, so not to jinx it, but the line feels like it is in a comfortable spot right now.
The Bruins also bring up a few players that got a lot of field time last year. One to look for is 6’9″ Miller who can play both tackle positions if necessary.
UCLA Bruins
Fullback: Nate Iese, Jalen Starks
This is one of two positions UCLA is going to try to incorporate into their new system under Offensive Coordinator Kennedy Polamalu. Nate Iese has great blocking skills but is also a decent receiver. The Bruins also signed a player in Starks a few weeks ago that was brought in specifically for his fullback experience. Not only that, he is a massive human being as well.
Tight End: Nate Iese, Jordan Wilson
Now because Iese is good with his hands, it is possible that we see him play near the line, rather than in the back field. The Bruins also brought in a proper tight end in this most recent recruiting class, so expect this position to get some definition in as we head into fall.
Also, UCLA will be making position changes, according to Head Coach Jim Mora, so it is likely we see a few receivers on a later TE depth chart.
X Receivers: Kenneth Walker, Theo Howard
Z Receivers: Eldridge Massington, Alex Van Dyke
Slot Receivers: Darren Andrews, Stephen Johnson III
It is hard to say what kind formations will be set for the receivers as the UCLA Football offense goes from a spread to a more power-oriented system. Still, taking what we know from last season, we should be hearing a lot from the six names listed above.
Three big surprises from last year were Walker, Andrews and Johnson who could play bigger roles in the passing game next season. The interesting thing to watch here is how they take the ball downfield now that they have a speedster like Howard.
Note – There are twelve positions here to show all of the possibilities with Polamalu’s new offense.
Next: UCLA Football Defensive Depth Chart
UCLA Football Defense
Defensive End: Takkarist McKinley, Jacob Tuioti- Mariner
Defensive Tackle: Eddie Vanderdoes, Matt Dickerson
Nose Tackle: Eli Ankou, Nick Terry
Defensive End/Outside Linebacker: Deon Hollins, Keisean Lucier-South
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The Bruin defense stocked up on seven d-linemen this past signing day which is a good thing considering the possibility of the Bruin defense playing a stricter version of the 4-3 formation. Though the Bruins have linebackers play the line, the Bruins could have a more pronounced four-man line.
Anchoring the middle is Vanderdoes who returns from a season-ending injury in the first game of 2015. McKinley and Hollins return as the edge rushers and at nose tackle we should see more of Ankou.
Behind them are several young players who should be more comfortable in Defensive Coordinator Tom Bradley‘s system as he refines it in his second year with the Bruins.
Inside Linbacker: Jayon Brown, Cameron Judge
Inside Linebacker: Isaako Savaiinaea, Kenny Young
Outside Linebacker: Mique Juarez, Josh Woods
It does not matter if the Bruins go 3-4 or 4-3 because they will essentially have the same set-up with a few subtle changes in the schemes. As for the linebackers, the Bruins had several injuries in this unit last year, but that just meant more time for a few of the younger players that really stepped up their game.
Two of the biggest surprises were Brown and Savaiinaea who did a fantastic job in the middle of the defense. The Bruins also get some Myles Jack-like skills with addition of Juarez, who could very well start Game 1.
Nickelback: Ishmael Adams, John Johnson
Cornerback: John Johnson, Fabian Moreau
Safety: Jaleel Wadood, Adarius Pickett
Safety: Randall Goforth, Tahaan Goodman
Cornerback: Marcus Rios, Nathan Meadors
The Bruins bring back a lot of players and a lot of experience. The trouble the UCLA defensive coaches are going to have is figuring out which are the four or five most qualified to handle these spots, especially depending on the formation of the defensive line and the linebackers.
The deep ball should be well covered with Wadood and Goforth at the safety spots. The corners and nickelback spots could see all of the above listed players above heavily cycled in, but just like everything on this list, it is most likely going to be switched up more often than not.
Note – There are twelve positions here to show all of the possibilities and possible changes in Bradley’s system.
Next: UCLA Football Special Teams
UCLA Football Special Teams
Kicker: J.J. Molson
Punter: Austin Kent
Long Snapper: Johnny Den Bleyker
Returners: Stephen Johnson III, Damian Alloway
This was another area where the Bruins had to restock. After last season, the kicking, punt and long snapping spots were vacated due to graduation. That did not phase the Bruin coaching staff as they not only reloaded, but got some of the top players at each position.
After a substandard year with special teams, UCLA should be significantly more improved with Molson (of the Canadian beer Molson’s), Kent and Den Bleyker. The control for field position will be drastically improved with these three new Bruins starting next year.
As for the return game, Johnson’s elusiveness and speed will help him find openings in the blocks and move the ball down field, similar to what the Ishmael Adams did two season ago. Behind him we could see a true freshman come in and assist the returns as Alloway has some speed on him that will set him apart from other Bruin speedsters.
Next: Analyzing the 2016 UCLA Football Recruiting Class
Well we hope that satisfied you, at least a little bit. It is a long way to the season opener but Go Joe Bruin will have you covered with everything from Spring Practice to Fall Camp. Go Bruins!