The UCLA Football offensive line wasn’t great in 2016. In fact it wasn’t good at all. What can we expect to see in 2017 and will there be any improvement?
If we think of the UCLA Football team as a house the offensive line would be the foundations. In 2016 that foundation was more like a bunch of sand rather than a solid, well built unit. There’s plenty of blame to go around from the coaches to the players but a new year calls for a new review.
In 2015 this unit gave up 15 sacks over the course of a 13 game season or 1.15 a game which would have tied them for 15th best in the country. Then this UCLA Football team had to replace three starters and their offense.
That was a recipe for disaster and that total jumped to 25 sacks in 2016. All of that pressure led to Josh Rosen being knocked out for the season and backup Mike Fafaul running for his life too.
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This year’s offensive line features three guys starting at new positions and two staying put. All five had at least one start last season but the three that are moving to new spots will be interesting to monitor.
Perhaps the biggest development to monitor is the change in offensive line coaches. Adrian Klemm is out and Hank Fraley is in after spending three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings and learning from Tony Sparano. Can he work some magic with this line?
Grading the Line
Kolton Miller is moving to LT to take over for Connor McDermott and I actually have no concern about him doing so. Miller is just as large as McDermott is but in my opinion is much stronger physically and does a better job anchoring against power. He also brings the quick feet necessary to play on the blindside. This move gets an B+ grade from me.
Perhaps the biggest development to monitor is the change in offensive line coaches.
Left guard is where we get one of our newer faces. Andre James had some run at right tackle last year when Miller went down and managed to keep his head above water but wasn’t stunning in any facet of his game. Fast forward to this spring and his move to guard seems like the right choice.
Last fall camp I made some observations about James not having the speed for tackle and I wanted to kick him inside to guard but am obviously not on the coaching staff. This year I got my wish and James’ wish was likely answered as well. This move will allow him to thrive and use his natural strength to drive defenders off the ball. The left side of this UCLA football offensive line is where the strength is. This move is a solid A from me.
Okay here we go. Scott Quessenberry returns as the center. Now I have been very critical of Quess in the past. Despite him being voted to the first team all PAC-12 by coaches I just didn’t see the play to back up that selection. Quess struggled to to create any major running lanes and although the blame isn’t solely his, as the center he’s charged with protection and keeping the QB upright.
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This UCLA Football team showed off a great deal of play action rollouts and some stretch runs that are more in line with what Quessenberry is better at. From all reports he held his own this spring and was likely the victim of poor personnel choices. However I am still wary until I see him in a live game. UCLA doesn’t have anyone else to sub in so this grade gets a C from me.
Right guard will be manned by Najee Toran who has seen plenty of action the past few seasons. A former defensive lineman who was converted for depth purposes, Toran still has a ways to go with his technique and is likely maxed out in terms of his body. Generously listed at 6-foot-four and 305 pounds, Toran is probably about two inches shorter and possibly 15 pounds lighter.
Like Quessenberry he struggled in a power based scheme and is best suited for more of a zone running scheme. He has some quickness to him which would go a long way in helping him shield defenders and create lanes on stretch runs. I would love to upgrade this position but that will likely wait till fall when freshman Kanan Ray arrives. I’m giving this position a C- grade.
Right tackle gets a new face with Kenny Lacy moving over from guard. Lacy has seen the most time on this line but was at his best when he was surrounded by the much more talented 2015 unit. Fast forward to 2017 and I’m not really sure how I feel about this move. I don’t really believe Lacy has the length to play outside and isn’t the mauler that RTs usually are.
He is however, experienced and that is something that this line lacks as a unit. Again like many of the other players we’ve discussed, Lacy is much more suited to a stretch running game. He does have some athleticism which was on display when he would pull from his guard position in the run game. I’m not in love with this but Lacy is functional and I actually think he has yet to reach his ceiling. I’m giving this move a C grade.
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Final Grade
This unit as a whole is one of the bigger question marks on the team. Rosen is returning from injury and needs time to throw. The running backs need to have lanes to run through and the Bruins need to re-establish a toughness up front. They were flat out bad last season and if this UCLA football team is going to have much success it is going to start up front. This unit grades out with a C+.