With the 2016 NFL Draft in the books and eight UCLA Bruins heard their name called. All will have the opportunity to make a team, but this article will specifically concern itself with five Bruins who are in line to make an immediate impact with their new respective teams.
Let me first begin by stating something that I have a problem with. When it comes to the NFL, having meaningful reps is one of the most crucial ways to impress a coach, learn the playbook and earn a significant role.
Plain and simple, you can’t earn trust, reps, or playing time without actually being in camp.
That’s where UCLA’s rare quarter academic comes into play. The NFL CBA, or collective bargaining agreement, states that rookies cannot attend any NFL camp until their respective universities have completed finals. For most schools this isn’t an issue since finals for semester based schools end in early to mid may.
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However for UCLA their finals will not start until early June meaning, by rule, they cannot attend rookie minicamps.
While they shouldn’t be dinged in the minds of coaches for having to abide by the rules, they don’t get the extra time to workout with other members of the team and get into the playbook which is even more important for players drafted in the later rounds.
Now that I’ve gone on my little rant, lets get underway.
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