Go Joe Bruin starts the first of many UCLA Football depth chart projections as we head through summer. Today we start with the quarterbacks.
It is back Ladies and Gentlemen! Go Joe Bruin’s summer depth chart projections for the UCLA Football team starts NOW! Every Monday for the next 10 weeks, we will be breaking down every position group on the Bruins and give you an early look into the 2016 season.
Related Story: Back-Up Quarterbacks and Running Back By Committee
We first look at the quarterback position, which should be no surprise who the starter will be. The question here is who will be the back-up.
The Bruins have a good problem with their back-up quarterback situation. Last season, Rosen had a back-up in Jerry Neuheisel, but it was known that if Rosen went down, Neu would have done a decent job filling in, but he would not have been as successful as Rosen.
That changes this year as not only UCLA will have 3 (maybe 4) back-ups. The Bruins landed 2 solid QBs on National Signing Day and if needed, incoming WR Dymond Lee could be called upon to help in the passing game. Why is it important for UCLA to have all these back-ups? Now that there is help, Rosen will be able to let loose a little bit and could help out with the run game a bit more.
But what will the depth chart look like? For this I asked my Go Joe Bruin counterparts for help and this is the order we believe the Bruins will have:
2016 Projected Quarterback Depth Chart
1. Josh Rosen, 6’4″, 210 lbs., So.
“Chosen Rosen” is back to lead the Bruins. Last year he not only broke freshmen records, but long-standing all-time UCLA records as well. Rosen hit the ground running with the Bruins, throwing for over 300 yards in his first game against Virginia and things improved form there. Though he hit a few bumps in the road, he should be more confident and lethal in 2016.
Rosen totaled 3,670 yards on 292-out-of-487 passes (60% completion). He added 23 touchdowns through the air and 2 on the ground. Hopefully the latter number increases as the coaches expand his options with more read options now that he has back-up.
2. Devon Modster, 6’2″, 215 lbs., Fr.
Modster was a huge get for the Bruins. Originally committed to Arizona, Modster had a change of heart last December. He has a strong arm and quick feet, making him a deadly dual-threat. The only question is “how will he fit into the Bruin’s system?”, seeing as he is the only one of the top four QBs that has not taken a practice snap with the UCLA Football team yet. He has the talent to land the #2 job, but it will be a fierce competition.
3. Mike Fafaul, 6’2″, 210 lbs., R-Sr.
Though Fafaul will be a relaible back-up seeing as he has been with the Bruins for four years and knows the play book. Fafaul has also had some playing time, mostly in 2014, which included a 42-yard strike in the Sun Bowl and finally re-emerged last year for two passes in the Bruin’s shut out of Oregon State. Though he has experience, with all the fire power UCLA now has, it will be tough for him to get some playing time this year.
4. Matt Lynch, 6’5″, 185 lbs., Fr.
Lynch is a question mark. He enrolled early and shared 2nd team snaps with Modster in Spring Practice, so he is already acclimating to the system. He also showed marked improvement over the four weeks of spring, so if he continues to do well, their is a chance he could snag the #2 spot. Although if Modster comes in hot, Lynch could back-up the back-up or even redshirt this season.
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Other QBs on the UCLA Football Roster: Jake Hall 6’5″, 200 lbs., Sr.), Nick Nezami (6’2″, 195 lbs. So.), Craig Myers (6’0″, 180 lbs., R-So.), Eli Snyder (6’0″, 175 lbs., So.)
Next week we will have look into the possible depth chart for the running backs, and believe me, that will not be an easy decision to make. Go Bruins!