Go Joe Bruin begins our depth chart projections heading into the 2017 season as we look at how the quarterbacks will fall into place this season.
Can you believe that the 2017 college football season is just under two months away? Neither can we, which is why it is time to start our summer series, “Projecting the Depth Charts’ for the UCLA Football team.
RELATED: Grading the Quarterbacks, Offensive Line, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Defensive Ends
In the next few weeks, Go Joe Bruin will be making predictions as to what the depth charts for each position group will look like. Today, we start with the quarterbacks.
1. Josh Rosen, #3
Jr., 6’4″, 220 lbs.
Unless Rosen has another injury, he will be taking the majority of the snaps in 2017. The return of Rosen will help solidify the Bruins’ offense despite working with their third offensive coordinator in three years. Despite setbacks with the offense last season, Rosen was still in top form.
This season, after recovery from a shoulder injury, Rosen has looks even better with his mechanics which should have UCLA moving the ball more effectively this fall. Bruin fans will also have some relief in knowing that if Rosen does go down, UCLA has a second and third contingency plan.
T-2, Devon Modster, #18
R-Fr., 6’2″, 220 lbs.
It is going to be tough to choose a backup to Rosen, but having two backup QBs is a really good thing for UCLA after having to rely on a former walk-on to lead the team last year (which eventually ended with a 4-8 record). Modster has been getting up to speed with the offense and could be an effective dual-threat. He was expected to be the #2, but has not separated himself and taken the backup spot for his own, which might be a good thing. Although for UCLA, two good backups are better than none.
T-2. Matt Lynch, #15
R-Fr., 6’4″, 218 lbs.
Lynch has a little bit more experience with the Bruins as he enrolled early in 2016. That extra time has given him an edge as he has shown improvements in his overall game. He had several strong performances in spring and gave new OC Jedd Fisch reason to consider using him as the #2.
Lynch has also shown that he can be very deadly with his legs. Whether it is to roll out or take some ground yards for himself, he gives the offense another dimension, if the Bruins choose to go that way. He has good arm strength, but could work on his accuracy, which is not horrible, but like Modster and Rosen, Lynch has to find a way to lead the offense.
4. Austin Burton, #12
Fr., 6’3″, 203 lbs.
Burton enrolled early this past spring and though he does not look to see time on the field this fall, Head Coach Jim Mora often commented on his raw skills and maturity during spring practice. This fall he will most likely work with (and lead) the scout team.
Burton looked good throwing the ball and even raised a few eyebrows when he would run the ball for himself, but he also has to work on his mechanics. One advantage he does have (aside from enrolling early) is that he gets to start fresh with all the other QBs in Fisch’s scheme.
5. Craig Myers, #19
R-Fr., 5’11”, 185 lbs.
6. Justin Saleh, #25
R-Fr., 5’11”, 185 lbs.
Both Myers and Saleh are also likely to see time with the scout team. With UCLA 3-deep at the quarterback spot, the Bruins might not need to play Burton, Myers or Saleh unless there is a series of seriously unfortunate events. Though it would be great to see these Bruins on the field, fingers crossed it does not get to that point.
We know for certain how Rosen can play and should more than likely improve of his impressive stats from half of last season. The good news is that he and Fisch can be a bit more liberal with the play calling and tae a few more risks now that UCLA has backup. I am not saying Rosen should go out there and fling his body around, but the Bruins can be creative, especially if they have set plays for Lynch and Modster to come in and throw off a defense.
Oh, how lovely it is to have depth!
Next: The Top 10 UCLA QBs of All-Time
In the next part of our series ‘Projecting the Depth Charts’, Go Joe Bruin will look at the running backs and try to list a position group that has a lot of talent and is very deep. You should be very excited.