UCLA Football: 5 Players to Watch in 2016

Nov 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. UCLA won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora during the second half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. UCLA won 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
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September 5, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora leads players out onto the field against the Virginia Cavaliers before the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
September 5, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Jim Mora leads players out onto the field against the Virginia Cavaliers before the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

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

Schedule

Schedule