UCLA Football In The NFL Draft In The Jim Mora Era

2013 UCLA Football Draftees

DE Datone Jones, 26th overall (Round 1), Green Bay Packers

RB, Johnathan Franklin, 125th (Round 4), Green Bay Packers

P Jeff Locke, 155th (Round 5), Minnesota Vikings

OG Jeff Baca, 196th (Round 6), Minnesota Vikings

All of these players are Rick Neuheisel guys and Mora turned them into pros. If anything, Mora improved their draft stock as he brought a mental toughness and a winning attitude to the team.

His coaching and experience in the NFL helped several of these players prepare and develop for the NFL, which a few are still making a comfortable living in.

Jones was the player that started it off. He was the top lineman on the defense and under Mora improved in total tackles, tackles for a loss and sacks from his junior to senior year.

Franklin was already a legend in the making and in Mora’s first season, Franklin captured UCLA’s all-time rushing record. Both Locke and Baca were consistent at their positions but also became leaders in their last year with the Bruins.

Now this NFL Draft was just the start. Mora would continue to coach and develop several other players that have not only made it to the NFL, but are thriving.

Next: 2014 UCLA Football Draftees