After completing individual position group depth charts, Go Joe Bruin now projects the UCLA Football starting lineups based on our analysis.
We are less than a month to kickoff for the UCLA Football team and one of the biggest questions surroundings the Bruins includes, “who will start last each position?”
***ALSO SEE: UCLA Football Projected Depth Charts – Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers/Tight Ends, Offensive Line
Though UCLA does not release depth charts, we have based our starting lineup on our own depth charts projections.
Remember, these are just predictions. There are even a few players that have been selected as starters in this article that differ from what we had projected in our depth charts. Still, anything can happen before September 3.
Projected UCLA Football Offensive Starters
QB: Josh Rosen
RB: Bolu Olorunfunmi
Rosen starting is a given. Olorunfunmi is not a given, though his stock is rising very quickly. Many of us here at GJB had foreseen Bolu’s rise since last season. Currently, he is running with the first team in practice and it is not just because four RBs are injured. It is because he is that good.
X-WR: Jordan Lasley
Z-WR: Eldridge Massington
SLOT: Darren Andrews
TE: Austin Roberts
There needs to be consistency among the receivers and it looks like these four could help make that happen. The important thing for the Bruins is making sure the ball is thrown to the players that can catch it and make a move. Andrews is quite possibly the most consistent when it comes to that, yet all four of these receivers have shown that they have the ability to make plays.
LT: Kolton Miller
LG: Andre James
RG: Najee Toran
RT: Sunny Odogwu
Odogwu was a huge get this offseason and should make a big difference. With him coming on late, it brings depth as well as moves a few players like Kenny Lacy and Andre James back to their more natural positions. It also helps having Miller and Quessenberry return with some much needed experience.
Projected UCLA Football Defensive Starters
DE: Jaelan Phillips
NT: Boss Tagaloa
DT: Matt Dickerson
Phillips is going to be a monster. Though he might not full replace Takkarist McKinley, he will do his best imitation. Dickerson, JTM and Tagaloa have plenty of experience and will now be asked to help fill the void for departing Eddie Vanderdoes and Eli Ankou. We are not worried though. Not with the way DL Coach Angus McClure and DC Tom Bradley are handling this defense.
OLB: Josh Woods
MLB: Lokeni Toailoa
OLB: Kenny Young
***ALSO SEE: UCLA Football Projected Depth Charts – Defensive Line, Linebackers, Defensive Backs
In our depth charts projections, we had the starter as: OLB Woods, MLB Young and OLB DeChaun Holiday. Currently, Holiday is nursing an injury, that puts that prediction on hold. Additionally, Mora said that the Woods-Toailoa-Young combo is what is working for them right now. One of the reasons for the switch, Mora stated, was because Young seemed to fit better on the outside (especially with Holiday out). What Bruin fans need to look for this season is the production of the developing Toailoa.
CB: Nate Meadors
CB: Denzel Fisher
(NB: Darnay Holmes)
When I look at this secondary, I truly become scared for other teams. Meadors is going to breakout this season, Wadood is a beast that should get a lot of recognition at season’s end, Pickett is going to surprise a lot of people and Fisher is a younger player that has been waiting patiently for his shot, which he will not squander. Additionally, Holmes is in here if the Bruins decide to go to a nickelback for a few plays. Either way, like Jaelan Phillips, fans will quickly take notice of the talent that Holmes brings.
Projected UCLA Football Special Team Starters
***ALSO SEE: UCLA Football Projected Depth Charts – Special Teams
K: JJ Molson
P: Austin Kent
K/P Returner: Adarius Pickett
It was a rocky year for the Bruins’ special teams. Youth and inconsistency lead to the Bruins having to make a switch in the kicking and punting game late in the season.
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But after a year in the system, Molson and Kent should not only regain their starting gigs, but hold onto them through the end of the season.
Both players were #1 in their position group the year before the got to UCLA. They came in with a lot of skill and a lot of hope, but it was evident that on a few occasions, they had some things to work on.
So with one season under their belts, they should be able to give the Bruins the special push they need to win games.
As for the return game, the Bruins have several excellent options, but Pickett has been impressive in his development and should be a top candidate to handle this crucial role for UCLA. But fans should also expect to see a few other names pop up for return duty, like Mossi Johnson and Octavius Spencer.
Next: UCLA Football - The uncertainty of the coming 2017 season
UCLA looks to have a bounce back season and could do a lot of damage with their roster. If the Bruins are going to make a difference, these players are going to have a huge part in that.