UCLA Football In The NFL Draft In The Jim Mora Era

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Oct 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) celebrates as the Minnesota Vikings beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19-13 in overtime at Raymond James Stadium. Barr returned a fumble for a 27-yard touchdown on the first play in overtime to win the game. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /

2014 UCLA Football Draftees

LB Anthony Barr, 9th (Round 1), Minnesota Vikings

OG Xavier Su’a-Filo, 33rd (Round 2), Houston Texans

DE Cassius Marsh, 108th (Round 4), Seattle Seahawks

WR Shaq Evans, 115th, (Round 4), New York Jets

LB Jordan Zumwalt, #119, Round 6, Pittsburgh Steelers

Before this last weekend, this was the best draft class in the Mora era. Defensively, the Bruins were at their peak in that 2013 season in Mora’s tenure.

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Seeing players like Barr, Zumwalt and Marsh leave the team hurt, but knowing their talents, one knew they would be able to make it in the League. It was exciting, to say the least.

The same could be said about Evans and Su’a-Filo who were key contributors on the offense.

Evans was solid receiver that had good hands and was dependable. Su’a-Filo left a year early, which hurt the offensive line, but his athletic ability and skill was undeniable. A player like Su’a-Filo was always bound for the NFL whether he left early or not.

Five players getting drafted was fantastic, but it was only the start, despite only a few players going the following year.

Next: 2015 UCLA Football Draftees