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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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2a. Bolu Olorunfunmi, #4

Jr., 5’10”, 220 lbs.

Another power back, Olorunfunmi is difficult to stop at the line. If you think of him as a bowling ball and the defensive (and offensive) line as the pins, you have a good idea of how Bolu runs. He only rushed more than 10 times in a game twice last year (11 and 10 attempts) so his 3.9 yards per rush could be deceiving. I think if Mora gave him 20-25 touches, his yards per carry would stay near 4.0 due to his style of running.

Bolu may have the speed to outrun linebackers and some DBs (he ran a 4.5 40 yard dash in high school) but with his frame, he will knock over a few linemen. That will make linemen think twice the next time he is running straight at them. His size also makes him a great lead blocker and he has the ability to pass block in the backfield for Rosen.

He has shown flashes of catching the ball out of the backfield last year with 5 catches against Utah. The ability to catch the ball may get him on the field more this year.

Bolu is another back who could step in at the lead back if needed. I think his size, speed, and ability to catch the ball makes him a dangerous weapon on this Bruins’ team.