With the conclusion of Spring Practice, we take a look at five players that could have a breakout season for the UCLA Football team in 2016.
It happens every year. There are one or two or ten players that step up and prove their worth for a team. Sometimes there are clues that a player is about to breakout and sometimes a player just comes out of nowhere.
With the conclusion of Spring Practice, the Bruins hang up their cleats until August. The summer will be a time for individual development which will help in preparing these players for next season.
There will be a lot of growing from each player, but some of them might grow a little quicker than others. In the last four weeks there were several Bruins that stood out and could have big seasons in 2016.
With that, we take a look at five Bruins that could have breakout seasons in 2016. Some of them will surprise you and others we saw coming. Either way, the UCLA Football team has a roster full of athletes and with the nurturing of the coaching staff, will be able to do big things next season.
Next: Surprise, Surprise
Kenneth Walker
The thing about Walker, and every UCLA Football fan knew it, was that he has no hands. His mitts are concrete blocks. He has blazing speed but could not pull in a ball to save his life.
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In his first two years of action he was a seldom used receiver. The goal was to make him a down field threat, but he was not very reliable with his hands.
In 2015, things seemed to turn around for Walker. He had more confidence in his hands and was more consistent than he had been in the past. Walker had finished the season as the Bruin’s top receiver in yards per catch with 25.7 and had the second-longest reception that got him 63 yards in a shutout at Oregon State.
This spring he has continued to look impressive, specifically meaning that he has been able to secure the ball on a consistent basis.
During the Spring Showcase he had caught two 50-yard passes that he caught in the end zone. He was, for lack of a better word, automatic. If he can continue to work on his hands, he will have his name called a lot more in 2016, though his specialty will be the long ball. Along with freshman Theo Howard, the Bruins could have two very dangerous receivers to choose from.
Next: Offensive Conversion
Ainuu Taua
Recruited and brought in as a defensive lineman, Taua was a versatile player that had a lot of potential. After two years with the Bruins, he was not able to be much of an impact. In 2015, Taua only recorded 4 tackles as a back-up D-lineman on a team that was allowing nearly 200 yards on the ground per game.
Though the defense changed up the line, it seemed no one was getting any action, especially a seldom used defensive lineman.
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With the Bruin’s offense needing to stock up on players for the new power offense OC Kennedy Polamalu is implementing, several on the defense migrated across the line of scrimmage right before Spring Practice began four weeks ago.
It was an interesting move, not only bringing Taua over to the offense, but putting him in a role that will require him to handle the ball a lot. He has not only showed that he can quickly adapt to the position but be an immediate contributor. He looked very impressive receiving passes in the flat, getting into the open and powering the ball through the line on short-yardgage plays.
In a way, you could say the is Nate Iese, Part 2.
Next: Big and Bad
Kolton Miller
I admit. I love the big guys. When I first heard of Miller’s commitment two years ago, I was excited because this 6’8″, 280 lbs. kid would add length to the tackle position.
UCLA Bruins
Like all freshman, he needed to build up his body along with his skill. In his first fall camp he was noticeably one of the tallest players on the field, but when he turned sideways, he would disappear (I credit that little quip to Go Joe Bruin writer Jake Merrifield).
That is exactly what Miller did in his first year with the Bruins as he redshirted and got up to speed with the inner workings of the offensive line. That prepared him to take on the role of right tackle in 2015 when the line, although experienced, was once again going through changes which forced Miller into action.
Miller started in five games due to his ability to adapt to the needs of the line. He meshed well with the upperclassmen and continued to excel late in the season.
During spring, Miller made a case to be the starter on the right side of the line. He has been very good stopping some of the defense’s pass rushers and for the most part held his own as the defensive line is now playing with four on the line.
Miller will be huge asset in his redshirt sophomore season and could be the heir apparent to Conor McDermott after the season.
Next: A Quick Pass Rusher
Takkarist McKinley
From early on, one could tell that McKinley had talent and had the potential to be a fantastic pass rusher. In his first year in the program, just days before the Texas game at AT&T Stadium, the Bruins got word that McKinley was eligible to play.
Two weeks later he is heavily rotated into the defensive line and stayed there for the rest of the season. He still needed to learn the nuances of the defense, but his raw talent gave the Bruins another pass rusher.
Last season he looked improved, but had to be called upon for otter D-line duties. The Bruins just could not stop the run. McKinley could not penetrate the line, but that is changing.
Not only is the defense adding a fourth man on the line to help clog holes, but McKinley looks faster and more athletic, at least from what we have seen in Spring Practice.
Next: Run, Run and Run Some More
Nate Starks, Soso Jamabo and Bolu Olorunfunmi
Okay, this is more of a breakout position than it is an individual player but if you know what I have seen, you would know why I am really excited about UCLA’s running back situation.
After last season, it was a question of who would take over for Paul Perkins. Starks has been a bruising back that can run over his defenders, as well as breaking out into the open. Unfortunately, a midseason injury slowed his progress but gave way for freshmen Jamabo and Olorunfunmi to get experience.
Both improved as the season progressed and became very dependable as they averaged over 5.4 yards per carry. This spring, they continued on their development and looked very good, so much that there will be a battle for the starting spot come this fall.
Next: UCLA Football Showcases Themselves
The reality is that Kennedy Polamalu has three very impressive running backs that will be used in a variety of set-ups in their tweaked offense. Needless to say, it is going to be very exciting watching the Bruins run the ball this fall.