UCLA Football will have new faces starting in key positions in 2017. There are potential breakout stars all across the board that should get Bruins fans excited for the future of the team.
As it is with the end of every season, the UCLA Football team lost key pieces on both offense and defense due to graduation, as well as the NFL Draft. It’s bittersweet, as these players will be missed.
However, their departure opens the door for up and coming players to make their own names in Bruin lore.
This article will explore potential breakout players, who will see added responsibilities this coming year. If these athletes reach their potential, it should help UCLA overcome the 4-8 season they suffered in 2016.
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Without further ado, here are the selections for UCLA’s breakout players of 2017.
DB Nate Meadors, #22
Jr., 5’11”, 195 lbs.
Nate Meadors played in just nine games his sophomore season at UCLA. In that time though, he showed incredible potential that hopefully indicates the Bruins’ defensive back position will be in good hands after the loss of Fabian Moreau, Marcus Rios, and Randall Goforth.
Meadors isn’t the biggest defensive back, but he’s not lacking in power. In the nine games he played, he totaled 35 tackles. What allowed Meadors to amass nearly four tackles per game in his short stint, is his ability to watch the backfield and predict where the ball will go. Once the play begins, Meadors’ quick reaction times allows him to make a break on the ball.
It helps that Meadors lined up at quarterback often in high school. This affords him a unique perspective in regards to what an opposing quarterback may do. It also gives merit to Meadors’ incredible athleticism. He is not only fast, but has fantastic footwork.
This combination is pivotal for success as a defensive back, as it allows one to stay with the wide receiver they’re covering, and either intercept or break up a pass, or tackle the receiver if the pass is completed. Meadors used his speed and footwork well last season, tallying six defended passes.
WR Theo Howard, #14
So., 6’0″, 180 lbs.
Simply put, Theo Howard can fly. He is an incredibly speedy wide receiver that instantly gives Josh Rosen a long-ball threat. While this skill alone doesn’t put him over the edge as first choice at wide receiver, opposing safeties will have to honor Jordan Lasley’s speed, leaving Howard one-on-one with the defensive back covering him.
In this scenario, Howard typically relies on agility to blow by his defender. However, it is not the only move in his arsenal. Howard doesn’t possess the finest footwork or route running ability, but he does have a good stutter step, and can fake as though he is running a route to the middle of the field, before breaking to the outside again. This helps him create separation from defensive backs, allowing him to get open down the field.
Howard’s speed also comes in handy on kickoff and punt returns. With Ishmael Adams no longer at UCLA, Howard may have the opportunity to fill the returning role that Adams locked down so well. If Howard takes this spot, he will be able to help the offense with instant points or better field position.
OT Kolton Miller, #77
R-Jr., 6’8″, 310 lbs.
It can be argued that Kolton Miller has already broken out. Before breaking his ankle against Arizona last season, Miller was part of an offensive line that allowed just 10 sacks on Rosen in five games. Although that seems like a lot, five of those came in the first week against Texas A&M. The eventual first overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Myles Garrett, was spearheading the sack campaign in that game.
After Miller’s injury, Rosen was injured on a sack the following week against Arizona State. Although he returned in the second half, another hard hit injured his shoulder, ending Rosen’s season. This would not be the end of UCLA’s offensive line problems. Without Miller, the line allowed 14 sacks the rest of the year.
Cleary Miller has an impact when he is on the field, Standing at 6’8” and 310 lbs., he makes an immovable wall for defensive lineman to have to get around. Aside from his size, he is also quick off the snap, and has the vision and patience to make the correct blocks on pass plays. On run plays, he is aggressive to the defensive lineman he is blocking, helping to spring the running back free faster.
However, it is hard to say he has broken out yet, as he has played a total of 10 games in two seasons. Such a small sample size can’t be relied on to fully evaluate if a player is consistently successful, or a flash in the pan.
Miller is also in the middle of a position change, moving from right to left tackle. This means he will be entrusted in protecting Rosen’s blindside. With Rosen coming off a shoulder injury, he can’t afford too many surprising and jarring hits. Time will tell if Miller is truly a difference maker on the offensive line, but he doesn’t appear worried about the added responsibilities that come with being the team’s left tackle.
DL Rick Wade, #90
R-So., 6’6″, 280 lbs.
Rick Wade is a bully on the defensive line. He has the dimensions of an offensive lineman, making it harder for the opposition to stop him at the snap. He will often break into the backfield and blow up a play before it has time to start. Wade’s three tackles for a loss in 2016, demonstrate his destructive force.
Wade is also good at observing handoffs and determining if he will be facing a run play, or a play action. In either case, Wade’s speed allows him to keep up with a running back trying to stretch the play to the outside, as well as, a quarterback trying to decide where to throw the ball. If there is a moment of hesitation from any ball handler, Wade will take advantage and make the tackle.
With only one sack in 12 games, Wade can definitely improve on his pass rushing. With Takkarist McKinley now a member of the Atlanta Falcons, Wade will have his chance to shine. Most opposing offenses will now be game planning on how to stop Kenny Young, who was named to the Butkus Award watch list. Wade should have an easier time getting to the quarterback, as his teammate takes most of the pressure.
RB Soso Jamabo, #1
Jr., 6’2″, 215 lbs.
The inclusion of Soso Jamabo on this list may seem confusing. At times, he was UCLA’s first-string running back, and has definitely made an impact for the Bruins. Last season, Jamabo tallied three touchdowns all season, a number that may seem good for a pass-first offense. That is, until one realizes that all three of Jamabo’s touchdowns came in one game against UNLV in week two.
From that point on, his best game came against Colorado in week nine. In the match, he carried the ball 23 times for 66 yards. The numbers don’t jump out, but this was against a good defensive teahttps://gojoebruin.com/wp-admin/post-new.phpm in the Buffaloes, while UCLA’s offensive lines was one of the worst in the country.
The Bruins have completely overhauled the offensive line since last year, bringing in Hank Fraley to coach the unit. They also have Kolton Miller returning, along with the addition of Miami transfer Sonny Odogwu. These additions should help Jamabo reach the potential that made him a highly touted incoming freshman two seasons ago.
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Jamabo isn’t a fast runner, but he is certainly strong. He’ll often break the first tackle and pick up extra yards before finally being brought down. This makes his runs up the middle especially dangerous for defenders. When he can get past the front seven, it is hard for defensive backs to bring him down. If Jamabo becomes a consistent threat, the passing offense will surely benefit, giving the Bruins a complete offense.