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.
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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.
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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
DEFENSE
DE: Takkarist McKinley, Rick Wade
NT: Eli Ankou, Matt Dickerson
DT: Eddie Vanderdoes, Jacob Tuioti-Mariner
DE: Deon Hollins, Keisean Lucier-South
The Bruins have four on the line that will be ready to go come fall! Vanderdoes returning is enough reason to get excited, but with the defensive line getting thicker, they just might be able to improve on the run defense.
Ankou has been slowly improving in the middle while McKinley, Hollins and Lucier-South are all filling into their roles on the edge.
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LB: Mique Juarez, Cameron Judge
LB: Isaako Savaiinaea, Kenny Young
LB: Jayon Brown, Josh Woods
This is just a wild guess. The Bruins, though a bit on the thin side, have some very good talent 2-deep. All of these positions will have a battle for starting spots. The most impressive in spring were Savaiinaea, Young and Brown who might lock up starting spots in the fall.
CB: Fabian Moreau, Nathan Meadors
S: Jaleel Wadood, Tahaan Goodman
S: Randall Goforth, Adarius Pickett
CB: Marcus Rios, William Lockett
Just know that the defensive backs are deep and have a lot of talent and I haven’t even listed younger players like Denzel Fisher, DeChaun Holiday, John Johnson and Octavius Spencer.
The Bruins could once again have one of the best pass defenses in the Pac-12 and it is because of the experience and skill of all eight of these players. Just looking at the starting four of Moreau, Goforth, Wadood and Rios makes me yearn for football.
K: JJ Molson
P: Austin Kent
This was Molson’s job the moment he signed with the Bruins. He is a solid kicker and proved it in front of everyone at the Spring Showcase by hitting a 50-yard field goal.
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Kent will be here in the fall and should have the punting situation locked up.