Go Joe Bruin takes a look at five very interesting position battles with the UCLA Football team going into fall camp.
It is almost time for the UCLA Football team to suit up again as fall camp is nearly upon.
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With that Go Joe Bruin looks at five position battles that will be piquing our interest for the next four weeks up until the season opener at Texas A&M on September 3.
Backup Quarterback
Devon Modster vs Matt Lynch vs Mike Fafaul vs Dymond Lee
By now everyone should know that Josh Rosen has the starting quarterback spot locked up, but who is going to be the #2 and back him up this season? Unlike last year, the Bruins have some quality back up quarterbacks (no disrespect to Jerry Neuheisel) that the coaching staff would be a little bit more confident inserting in if anything happens to Rosen.
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- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
Fafaul has the most experience with the offense. He has regular season game and bowl game experience, though mostly at back up and with very few minutes. Though he would lend decent support to Rosen, the Bruins loaded up on talent at the quarterback position last signing day.
Both Modster and Lynch have their advantages at quarterback, but overall they are a step up from the talent UCLA had backing up Rosen last season. Lynch might have a slight advantage as he enrolled early to participate in spring practice, but Modster might have the advantage with his skills.
Lee could be a fourth option despite the fact that he was recruited as a receiver. In high school he played both positions and was pretty reliable QB. Although, unless he completely blows the coaches the way, he might stay with the receivers this season.
Next: Defensive Ends
Starting Defensive Ends
Deon Hollins vs Takkarist McKinley vs Keisean Lucier-South
That search for the next Anthony Barr continues as the defense looks for that one or two (or maybe all three) solid pass rushers to help on the defensive side of the ball.
The battle for these positions are going to depend on several factors. Not only will the starting DEs need to be the best at getting around the edge, they’re also going to have to help stop the run. The UCLA Football team was eighth in the Pac-12 conference in run defense last season, so a few things have to improve.
Hollins seemed to have taken a slight step back last season, but looked very confident and determined in spring practice. Lucier-South was a pleasant surprise in spring as he was quick off the line and looked very aggressive against the Bruin’s O-line.
As of now, I am confident saying that McKinley could automatically get one of the starting spots. As the second best D-lineman behind Kenneth Clarke last season, McKinley had to focus more on stabilizing the pass rushing, though that didn’t completely stop him from doing what he does best. McKinley is a freak athlete who should have a breakout season in 2016.
Next: All The Receivers
The Entire Receivers Unit
All of the receiving positions are going to be very interesting to watch. With the Bruins losing four of their top five receivers, Rosen will have to look to a younger (though not void of talent) group of receivers.
During the spring we saw promise from a lot of pass catchers. During our projected depth chart of the receivers, I stated that this could be one of the deepest and most talented receiving units in the Mora era. For me at least, it’s going to be the most exciting to watch.
One key element to the Bruins receiving corps this year is the addition of speed.
With the elusive Ishmael Adams converting from defensive back, the recruitment of the Theo Howard and Damian Alloway and the improving receiving skills of Kenny Walker, the Bruins are going to be very fast this season.
The Bruin coaches then need to figure out who’s going to start at the other receiver positions. Darren Andrews should start this season but he will be pushed heavily by Eldridge Massington, Mossi Johnson, Stephen Johnson III and Alex Van Dyke, just to name a few.
Because the Bruins have so much depth it is hard to see who will actually get the start on September 3, but just know that there will be a lot of good receivers in the Bruin’s cupboard this fall.
Next: Strongside Linebacker
Strongside Linebacker
Kenny Young vs Mique Juarez vs Josh Woods vs Cameron Judge
Aside from injuries, the linebackers had one constant last season. Isaako Savaiinaea and Jayon Brown should get the start at their positions in the middle and on the weak side, but in the new 4-3 defense, who’s going to be that third Bruin to get the start?
Related Story: Jayon Brown's Emergence as a Star
Young is taking his time to come around but it seem like last year he started to improve. The same can be said for Woods who improved after he was also forced into action due to several injuries, including the loss of Myles Jack.
Speaking of Jack, Juarez is was supposed to be a Jack clone. He enrolled early for spring practice, but a neck injury kept him out most of the spring. He participated in the Spring Showcase, but only participated in non-contact drills. This fall we should be ready to go and get a better idea of how he can fit into the roster.
Next: Who Will Be The #1 RB?
Starting Running Back
Soso Jamabo vs Nate Starks vs Bolu Olorunfunmi
No matter who is chosen as the starter, this position battle is going to be a fun one to watch. All three of these running backs have the ability to be the #1 on September 3, which means that overall UCLA will have a fantastic group of running backs.
The UCLA coaches will not be afraid to use them all, especially when they have the chance to cycle in three fresh and talented backs throughout the game (and that does not even include the new fullbacks that will help out). That means we might see a running back by committee with nearly equal time distributed between all three RBs, but we can’t avoid the biggest question of all, “who will start?”
The running back that seems to have a slight edge and has had made tremendous progress since first getting to UCLA is Soso Jamabo. He was very impressive as he made adjustments to maximize his game in the Spring and looks like he can be the go-to guy for UCLA Football’s run game. But as I stated, with two other quality running backs, the Bruins have a plethora of talent to choose from.
More from Go Joe Bruin
- UCLA Football: It’s time for the nation to meet Dante Moore
- UCLA Football: Where are they ranked heading into week 4
- UCLA Football: Position battle breakdown for Utah showdown
- UCLA vs. Utah: Location, time, prediction, and more
- UCLA Football: Highlights from Chip Kelly’s appearance on the Jim Rome Show
Go Bruins!