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UCLA Football: Projecting the depth chart – Running backs

By David Rosenthal

PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins looks on during the second half of a game against the Arizona Wildcats at the Rose Bowl on October 1, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - OCTOBER 01: Head coach Jim Mora of the UCLA Bruins looks on during the second half of a game against the Arizona Wildcats at the Rose Bowl on October 1, 2016 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 31: Soso Jamabo
PASADENA, CA – OCTOBER 31: Soso Jamabo /

Go Joe Bruin continues our look at potential depth charts for the UCLA Football team in 2017 as we list the running backs who have a lot of talent to choose from.

Last year the UCLA Football team used a three-headed (not so scary) monster at running back. This year, the Bruins hope another year of experience at the position will improve on their 84 rushing yards a game.

RELATED: Projecting the UCLA Football QB Depth Chart

The Bruins may again start with a running back by committee but here’s what the depth chart may look like to start the season.

1. Soso Jamabo, #1

Jr., 6’2”, 215 lbs.

As the top returning rusher, Jamabo comes into the season as the de facto starting running back. He had his moments last year, namely the first two games when he went for 91 and 90 yards, respectively. But after that, he never again reached those numbers. At times it seemed like Jamabo was running in mud as he was looking for a hole to run through.

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On a positive note, as Jamabo got more touches he performed better. In three games where he had more than 10 carries, he ran for 247 yards at 4.3 yards per carry.

But in eight other games where Jamabo carried the ball less than 10 times, his average dropped to just under 3 yards per carry. The man from Texas can’t come in as a “pinch hitter”, getting a carry here and there and be expected to make a significant impact. It’s obvious that Jamabo is a back that needs a good amount of touches to factor into a game.

These inconsistencies in Jamabo’s touches could be due to Mora using too many running backs or a product of something else behind the scenes.

The former five star recruit from Plano West HS will get another chance to show his ability. If he can perform like he did early last season, he may hold on to the top running back spot. If not, there are two or three other rushers ready to take it.