With the Spring Showcase over and done with, we look to the future of the UCLA Football team and predict what the depth chart (2-deep) would look like in the fall.
It was a very interesting Spring Practice for the UCLA Football team as they made changes on both offense and defense. With that came some interesting observations about specific players over the last four weeks.
RELATED: UCLA Football Showcases Themselves
The lineups are far from set going into 2016, but we do our best making predictions regarding the lineups we will see next season.
OFFENSE
QB: Josh Rosen, Matt Lynch
UCLA Bruins
Rosen is looking stronger and more confident going from his freshman to his sophomore year. He has adjusted to the new tweaks in the offense which includes huddles and taking snaps under center.
Though there will be a proper battle for the backup quarterback spot, Lynch looked impressive and has the edge having gone through spring.
RB: Nate Starks, Soso Jamabo and Bolu Olorunfunmi
This is a very good group of running backs and because of that, the Bruins will not have traditional #1 and #2 set up, but rather rotate all three of these backs evenly and we are very excited about that.
FB: Ainuu Taua, Jalen Starks
TE: Nate Iese, Jordan Wilson
The two new positions are taking shape with Taua and Iese giving each spot a foundation in the offense. Both positions are already giving the offense extra weapons to work with, especially for short yardage situations.
LT: Conor McDermott, Kolton Miller
LG: Scott Quessenberry, Najee Toran
C: Jake Raulerson, Cristian Garcia
RG: Kenny Lacy, Poasi Moala
RT: Kolton Miller, Zach Bateman
This is completely different from what we saw in spring practice simply because of the addition of Raulerson who will be here in the fall. Quessenberry played center for the first team most of Spring Practice. He had a bit of trouble to start, especially with the execution of snaps, but progressed over the last four weeks.
McDermott got a little dinged up towards the end of spring but will be fine by fall. He will be in control of the left tackle position and is clearly the best lineman on the team. The other tackle, Miller, has also looked good and could be a breakout player in the fall.
Related Story: The Impact of the Fullback
WR: Kenneth Walker, Theo Howard
WR: Ishmael Adams, Alex Van Dyke
WR: Darren Andrews, Eldridge Massington
Two years ago, Bruin fans would have thought that I made several typos in the receivers depth chart, but it is in fact real (for a prediction). Walker is looking better as a pass catcher, Adams’ conversion to WR from DB is impressive and seldom used Andrews could be a go-to receiver next year.
Add to that the skill of Howard, Van Dyke and Massington and the passing game will be a very potent next year.
Next: Defense and Special Teams