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UCLA Football: Survival of the Offense – Running Backs

By Michael Chavez

Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers during the first half of a NCAA football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers during the first half of a NCAA football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers during the first half of a NCAA football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back Bolu Olorunfunmi (4) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Oregon State Beavers during the first half of a NCAA football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Backs (cont.)

Next guy up for the Bruins is Bolu Olorunfunmi who is built low to the ground and like a bowling ball of muscle. Built how I like my RB’s, Bolu can break through arm tackles and has enough speed and wiggle to make guys miss in the open field.

However he too is always getting nicked up and most of the time it seems to be an ankle. I can’t have my bellcow, my go to guy in the backfield, dealing with ankle issues. Bolu also has some drops in the passing game and yes while his main job is to run the ball, to be a complete back he needs to improve his hands.

Nov 26, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears defensive end Cameron Saffle (51) tackles UCLA Bruins running back Nate Starks (23) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears defensive end Cameron Saffle (51) tackles UCLA Bruins running back Nate Starks (23) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

Vision is something else I’ve noticed Bolu struggling with. He often misses holes or runs right up into the backs of his offensive linemen. Just because you can run like a Mack truck doesn’t mean you should have the same kind of vision. If he can improve that facet of his game it will be hard to argue carries away from him.

The last of the veteran guys running the rock, and often the most forgotten, is Nate Starks. When Paul Perkins left UCLA, I figured Starks would be the guy to take over since he was the backup to Perkins although Jamabo was clearly more talented. I also enjoyed the power I saw Starks run with and that was a major appeal.

2016 wasn’t a good year for Starks and it wasn’t for lack of touches. While dealing with the same offensive line issues he actually had more carries than leading rusher Jamabo but only generated 3.3 yards per carry. The main reasons in my mind for that (besides the offensive line issues) are the overall lack of athleticism and vision Starks brings to the table.

Starks just seems a step slower than all the other backs and is outclassed in terms of just being a pure athlete by the other guys on the roster. Starks reminds me a ton of Arian Foster in the way he runs and the system that works for him but even though he doesn’t seem to be as gifted. His one-cut running style should suit the offensive changes but don’t expect him to have more than a handful of touches on any given game day.