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UCLA Football: 5 Players to Watch in 2016

By Mike Regalado

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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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