Here is the Go Joe Bruin preview of the 2016 NFL Combine and the UCLA Football players that have been invited to Indianapolis.
There are nine former players from the UCLA Football program that are heading to the NFL Combine this week, the most in Head Coach Jim Mora’s tenure.
Since taking over in Westwood, Mora has done a fantastic job changing the culture at UCLA where he has improved efforts in recruiting and developing talent.
The result of that are several NFL-worthy players looking to begin the next chapter of their football careers. That all begins this week with the 2016 NFL Combine where all nine players will be recorded, analyzed and judged on their individual performances over the next week.
Before we preview each player, let us take a look at the schedule for the NFL Combine for the next several days.
Related Story: Analyzing the 2016 UCLA Football Recruiting Class
NFL Combine Sechedule
Tue, Feb 23: Start of the 2016 NFL Combine
Wed, Feb 24: Media Interviews – running backs, offensive linemen, special teams
Thu, Feb 25: Media Interviews – quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends
Fri, Feb 26: Media Interviews – defensive linemen, linebackers. Workouts – running backs, offensive linemen and special teams
Sat, Feb 27: Media Interviews – defensive backs. Workouts – quarterbacks, receivers and tight ends.
Sun, Feb 28: Workouts – defensive linemen and linebackers.
Mon, Feb 29: Workouts – defensive backs
Next: The Offensive Players - Part 1
Offense (Part 1)
Caleb Benenoch, OL
Vital Stats: 6’5″, 305 lbs., Junior in 2015
Overview: Started every game in the last two years and nine in his true freshman season. Benenoch has experience as a guard and a tackle and is very malleable to the needs of the offense of line. He is a large individual who is very strong and will only get better with pro development.
He has a bit of fire in him which fuels his emotions, which sometimes gets to him, but for the most part he plays in control. With some proper professional development, Benenoch could be a very good NFL offensive lineman in a few seasons.
Jake Brendel, C (pictured above)
Vital Stats: 6’4″, 305 lbs., Senior in 2015
Overview: The rock for the UCLA offensive line over the last four years had started in every game he played, missing only one due to injury in 2014. He was instrumental in keeping the line together as the UCLA offense transitioned from Brett Hundley to Josh Rosen in 2016.
Brendel is a very cerebral football player that has been very driven as a captain for UCLA. The four-year Bruin is a natural leader and was well respected amongst the UCLA football team. Similar to Benenoch, Brendel will only get better as he enters the next phase of his career and could eventually be a starter a few years down the road.
Thomas Duarte, TE/Y-receiver
Vital Stats: 6’3″, 225 lbs., Junior in 2015
2015 Season Stats: 53 rec, 872 yards, 16.5 avg, 10 TDs, 67.1 ypg
Overview: As the biggest target for Rosen last season, Duarte did great things for the Bruins. Duarte has improved his game over his three years in blue and gold and despite having the offense stutter late in the season, especially the passing game, he conto her to be a reliable receiver.
Duarte’s size and athleticism creates mismatches with his defensive opponents and though he may need to improve his blocking if he plans to remain a tight end, he has good reach and great hands which will benefit a team looking for more agile TEs.
Next: The Offensive Players - Part 2
Offense (Part 2)
Jordan Payton, WR
Vital Stats: 6’1″, 212 lbs., Senior in 2015
2015 Season Stats: 78 rec, 1,105 yards, 14.2 avg, 5 TDs, 85.0 ypg
Overview: Payton was the leader among the wide receivers. He is a player that is smart, consistent and very reliable. Though Duarte was the biggest target, Payton was the most used as he lead the Bruins in receiving yards.
Payton is elusive enough to get out into open space, but is also strong enough to get receptions and yards in heavy traffic. Not so much a deep threat, Payton’s strengths are in the short game.
Paul Perkins, RB (pictured above)
Saturday Blitz
Vital Stats: 5’11”, 210 lbs., Junior in 2015
2015 Season Stats: 1,343 rushing yards, 5.7 avg
Overview: What else can you say about the top running back in the Pac-12 in 2014? He is a machine. Though his stats dipped in 2015, Perkins has always been a consistent work horse for the Bruins.
Perkins has excellent vision which helps him get through the gaps and out to the edge with ease. He also has excellent feet, is strong and has great body control which allows him to squeak out a few extra yards after contact.
Though he does not have breakout speed, he has enough to outrun his defenders if he gets them in a foot race. On top of that, he hasn’t even peaked, so imagine what Perkins would be like after an NFL coach gets his hands on him?
Alex Redmond, OL
Vital Stats: 6’5″, 305 lbs., Junior in 2015
Overview: Redmond decided to come out after his junior year. Many, including us, believe he would have benefited from an extra year in school, yet he does have the talent to make it to the NFL. Still, it was curious how he left the program as he made his exit the week before UCLA was to play in the Foster Farms Bowl.
Redmond has a mean streak and played with passion for the Bruins. Though he was a good role player, there was not much that stood out amongst his skills. The upside is that he was effective, consistent and dependable.
Next: The Defensive Players
Defense
Kenny Clark, DL
Vital Stats: 6’3″, 310 lbs., Junior in 2015
2015 Season Stats: 75 tackles (47 solo, 28 asst), 2 TFL, 6 sacks
Overview: Clark was the saving grace of the defensive line last season. Bruin fans will miss his ferocity and athleticism as he often busted through lines and mangled ball carriers.
Clark has steadily improved every season he has been in Westwood and emerged as a dominating threat in his sophomore year. He is quick off the snap and has the ability to chase down his opponents, especially in the back field.
Seeing how quickly he improved his game in college, I cannot imagine a team passing on him later than the 3rd round. Although, when scouts get an up-close look at him at the NFL Combine, there is a chance he ccould be bumped up several spots in post-combine mock drafts.
Myles Jack, LB (pictured above)
Vital Stats: 6’1″, 245 lbs., Junior in 2015
2015 Season Stats: (in 3 games) 15 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass break-up
Overview: One of the most anticipated players to enter the combine, Jack is already projected to not only go in the first round of the NFL Draft, but looks to go no lower than the 8th pick in most mock drafts.
If completely cleared to particulate in the combine (which has not been confirmed yet), it will be the first time Jack performs publicly since tearing his anterior meniscus during practice after UCLA’s third game of the season against BYU.
For those that do not know, Jack is also a freak of nature that is talented on both sides of the ball. Not only is he a smart, strong linebacker that is physically intimidating, but he has experience as a short yardage running back, which makes him a dual-threat player, which could benefit some power-based offenses.
Next: Special Teams and Mock Drafts
Special Teams
Vital Stats: 6’0″, 190 lbs., Senior in 2015
Overview: Despite fading out toward the end of the season, Fairbairn had one of the best seasons for a Bruin kicker in recent years. In 2015, Fairbairn had a list of impressive achievements and was heavily awarded for it.
Fairbairn went 20 for 23 on field goals (83.3%), which included a 60-yard record breaker against Cal and was perfect on extra points, hitting all 44 of his attempts. He also had a perfect mark with his FGs from within 40 yards.
Fairbairn also won the Lou Groza Award (top kicker in the country) and was a first-team AP All-American. Fairbairn improved tremendously from year-to-year and appears to still be on the ascend with his talents, which is good news for a team looking for a solid kicker.
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
Bruins In Mock Drafts
And now to wet your whistle with some pre-NFL Combine mock drafts. Here are a few projections that include several UCLA players:
-Myles Jack, #8 to the Miami Dolphins
-Myles Jack, #4 to the Dallas Cowboys
-Myles Jack, #4 to the Dallas Cowboys
-Kenny Clark, #28 to the Kansas City Chiefs
-Paul Perkins, #88 (Rd. 3) to the Green Bay Packers
-Myles Jack, #4 to the Dallas Cowboys
-Kenny Clark, #28 to the Kansas City Chiefs
-Caleb Benenoch, #83 (Rd. 3) to the New York Jets
-Paul Perkins, #98 (Rd. 3) to the Seattle Seahawks
-Alex Redmond, #108 (Rd. 4) to the Miami Dolphins
-Jordan Payton, #250 (Rd. 7) to the Carolina Panthers
Next: The Top 10 UCLA Quarterbacks
Stay with Go Joe Bruin as we bring you all the latest regrading UCLA Football in the NFL Combine.